There's so much flux going on with all the injuries that I think it's important for them to continue to play competitively, especially against the good teams. They still need to improve, and that's the best way to do it. Games against Toronto will be especially telling.
With 8 to go (3/28 morning) the celts are 7 up in the loss column vs Cleve and Phil. Celts are 1-2 vs cleve, and 3-1 against Phil.
So magic number (W + opponent loss) is 2 against Cleve, 1 against Phil.
Remaining schedule (thanks InstaFace #3493)
CLE (5H, 3A): @CHA, NO, DAL,
TOR, WAS,
@PHI, @NYK, NYK
PHI (5H, 4A): NYK, @ATL, @CHA, BKN,
@DET,
CLE, DAL, @ATL, MIL
IND (2H, 5A): @SAC, @LAC, @DEN,
GS,
@TOR, @CHA, CHA
and
BOS(4H,4A): @UTA,TOR,@MIL,@TOR,CHI,ATL,@WAS,BKN
TOR (3H,4A) : @BOS,@CLE,BOS,IND,ORL,@DET,@MIA
It is hard to imagine a losing scenario: say Phi wins out or Cleve just loses one game, and the Celts just win one.
But... all these injuries.
AND the possibility of more injuries. For example: does MaMo get hurt if he isn't trying to manufacture points against a crummy Phoenix?
That is if the Celts opponents decide to play to win (and you have to assume they will), and Tatum feel the need to carry the scoring load -- does he strain his back? Does TRoz twist an ankle trying to pull off an upset in Toronto? (Al I won't worry about, he isn't ashamed to rest when he isn't quite right).
In other words: is a fear of injury because trying to hard a real worry?
Which leads me to chose between 3 strategies:
a) Phil or Cleve are NOT going to run the table. So the Celts should rest everyone, and not worry about winning games.
b) Cleve, and especially Phil (with a weak schedule) might run the table. But the Celts's last 4 games are against bad or an unHot Wizards. So rest now,and turn it on if you have to during the last 4 games.
c) First place looks achievable, and going into the post season with your squad on a competitive roll is a good thing. So screw the worries -- try to catch Toronto.
I lean toward B, which means limits on the minutes of healthy players who matter (TRoz, JT, JB, AH), and semi-shutting down MaMo.
(... on 2nd thought, I would amend this a bit. As a tune up, you go into Washington looking to win)