Transition game for Celtics

CHICAGO -- What's next?

That was the question facing the Celtics when they woke up yesterday morning. After losing to the Bulls, 100-94, Saturday night at the United Center, they more or less came to the realization that the playoffs will take place without them.

While Boston remains mathematically alive for the No. 8 spot in the Eastern Conference and some players still cling to hope of a miracle, coach Doc Rivers said that ''most likely" they're out of the chase. Boston trails eighth-place Philadelphia by 4 1/2 games (five in the loss column). In all likelihood, the Sixers and the Bulls will fight for the final playoff spot when they meet twice next week.

''I thought even with a win [over Chicago] it would have been tight," said Rivers, who gave the players yesterday off. ''But right now, the way Philadelphia is playing, every time we think we're out, they pull us right back in, like the Mob. You never know, but most likely we're out of it."

Added Raef LaFrentz: ''We've been behind the 8-ball for a while and we've been given chance after chance after chance and we haven't been able to capitalize. There's nothing you can do this year for next year, other than guys can continue to build confidence in one another and build team chemistry. That's what this stage of the game is for.

''But next year is a whole different year. Roles will change, personnel will change, a lot of things may change between now and next year. That's the name of the game in the NBA."

Just where does that leave the Celtics? Do they embrace the role of spoiler, looking ahead to matchups against Washington, Philadelphia, Indiana, New Jersey, Cleveland, and Miami where they could affect playoff seedings? Do they think ahead to next season and try to find more time for Gerald Green, Orien Greene, Kendrick Perkins, Dwayne Jones, and, hopefully, Al Jefferson, so executive director of basketball operations Danny Ainge can get an even better idea of what he has? Do they switch around the starting lineup and fiddle with the rotation to see if better chemistry exists with some unexpected pairings? Do they focus on smaller goals, like finally winning three games in a row?

All are possibilities Rivers will consider, though after the loss at Chicago, it sounded like he just needed some time to let reality sink in. Although Boston knew it kept squandering chances to gain ground in the chase for the No. 8 seed, the defeat in Chicago brought a certain finality to the pursuit.

''I'm going to play the same, for the most part," said Rivers. ''We're still a work in progress with our vets and our young guys. We just want to work on becoming a better basketball team, and that's what we're going to do."

When asked if he would try to find more minutes for the younger players, Rivers added: ''Probably, but not much. I'm going to probably do it the way we've done it. We might make a change. I don't know what we're going to do, honestly. I haven't even thought about it."

The Celtics will practice this morning in Chicago before departing for Toronto this afternoon. The Raptors offer the Celtics a chance to get back on a winning track, a chance to see how much pride the team takes in its play. The Raptors long have been out of the playoff race and absorbed a 110-96 loss at the TD Banknorth Garden March 22, though they defeated the Celtics in their last visit to the Air Canda Centre almost a month ago.

''I'm going to go out and play hard each and every game," said Paul Pierce, who is poised to post career highs in points per game (26.9) and field goal percentage (47.1) if he finishes strong. ''I love the game of basketball, I'm going to continue to compete at a high level regardless of the stakes, period. Whatever the coaches feel we need to do to move forward, whether it's for this year or for next year, that's their decision."

Pierce added that he was not the kind of player to dwell on losses or missed opportunities, otherwise he would have a ''nervous breakdown." Taking a philosophical stance, he talked about learning from mistakes and moving forward.

Still, it would be nice to learn lessons while winning and end the year with some positive momentum.

That would be one change the Celtics would welcome before next season.