The Boston Celtics wrapped up last week winless in a series with the defending champions, the Miami Heat, and a three-game road trip. Whilst the damage to the Heat could possibly be forgivena'LeBron James and Co. have gained 26-straight gamesa'the same cannot be said about the Celticsa faults on the way. They're currently 12-23 away from home this season. Itas an issue that's swiftly become an heel for the group. One which threatens to dismantle any potential for success Boston has in the postseason. The Celtics have now dropped four-straight games and six of the last nine. On the highway consecutive games have been also lost five by them. Itas a slump that's had massive effects on Bostonas time. After getting as near as 2.5 games back of the Nyc Knicks in the Atlantic Division a week ago, the group has fallen to 6.5 games out of the division lead and two games behind the Chicago Bulls for sixth in the convention. It just goes to show you the importance of being able to win traveling. But precisely how bad will be the Celtics away from benefits of the TD Garden? Consider this: From the 16 NBA teams currently in playoff position, Boston contains the worst record on the way. Perhaps not the very best indication for a staff that's likely to enter the postseason as a bottom-four seed. Thereas No Place Like Home Boston has thought hounded on the road.Kevin C. Cox/Getty Pictures In the home, the Celtics are relaxed, collected and begin their business in orderly fashion. On your way, the group is dropped, dangerous and reacts unexpectedly. Naturally, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde have nothing on this Boston team. In 34 games played at the TD Garden, the Celtics have averaged 24 assists per game and 98.5 details, while shooting 47.6 percent from a floor. They have also posted a rating of 94.8 and an unpleasant rating of 101.5. In the home, the game appears to come simple for Boston. The ball is constantly in motion, allowing the team to find the best available picture. In addition, it allows each person an opportunity to get herself in to the flow of the overall game. The result is really a greater and more adept scoring crime. Conversely, the defense has been just as powerful. Opponents have been held by the Celtics to just 89.9 things and just 19.6 helps per game, while restricting them to 42.8 percent firing from the subject and 31.1 percent from three-point selection. Boston does not permit the opposing team time to get into a rhythm on offense. The teamas perimeter defense and quick shifts close down the driving lanes and force opponents in to hard shots. More regularly than not, additionally, it results in turnoversa'the Celtics average 9.3 steals per game in the home. Boston's protection is a great asset at home. But, on the highway, itas a totally different story. In 35 games performed away from home, Boston has averaged 90.9 points and 21.9 assists per game, while capturing 44.7 percent from a floor. The group also has an offensive rating of 99.7 and a rating of 104.5. On the way, the overall game appears to slow down for the Celtics. The ball does not move as much, with participants electing to allow shot clock tick away before attempting an ill-advised shot. It almost seems like the people are enjoying as individuals and not as a team. The same is true on the end. Competitors took benefit of Boston, averaging 97.3 points and 22.3 assists per game, while capturing 45 percent from the field and 35.7 percent from beyond the arc. The Celtics defense is notAas solid on the highway, allowing competitors better ball movement and higher-percentage shots. Bad border safety has allowed opposite pads to slip by, creating chaos within the paint. It often results in an uncontested bucket down low or even a kick out for a wide-open three-point attempt. Those are simple points Boston canat afford to stop. Stretch Run Problems Waters hasn't been pleased with his team's lack of concentration down the stretch.Christian Petersen/Getty Pictures Itas no solution that the Celtics have experienced their fare share of concerns as it pertains to closing out activities. They've already lost eight tournaments this season in which they used a lead at some pointa'including edges of 16, 17 and even 27. Not surprisingly, six of these errors have come on the road. The catalyst just might function as the teamas play in closely contested games. At home, in 118 minutes with the score tied, Boston has a rating of 84.4 and an unpleasant rating of 103.4. The group also shoots 47.8 percent from the ground and 44.4 percent from three-point selection. On the way, in 121 minutes with the score tied, the Celtics have a rating of 102.8 and an offensive rating of 105.9. Additionally they capture 50 percent from the area and 50 percent from length. The 18.4 huge difference in defensive scores is scary, while the differences are marginal offensively. Beneath the same conditions at home, opponents have shot just 40.7 percent from the only 23.5 percent and floor from beyond the arc. On the highway, these scars increase to 45.3 percent and 35.1 percent respectively. The changes are much more important if the group is either ahead or behind. At home, in 718 minutes with the lead between one and five items, Boston has a rating of 91.2 and an unpleasant rating of 102.5. The group has shot 46 percent from the field and 37.2 percent from three-point selection. On the way, in 728 minutes with the lead between five and one factors, the Celtics have an offensive rating of 99.8 and a rating of 107.3. They've shot only 43.4 percent from the ground and 33.6 percent from outside. Deficits such as this have prevented the Celtics from soaring to a in the Eastern Conference. Before their house crowd, Boston has looked most of the elements of an NBA title contender. The team has maintained its composure through the entire total 48 minutes and provides eventually sound baseball night in and night out. Victories on the Oklahoma City Mastery, Miami Heat and La Clippers proves just as much. Surrounded by the unfamiliarity of aggressive other fans, the Celtics have happened. Itas like they've suddenly forgotten just how to play defense. More particularly, itas almost like they donat care. Losses to the Charlotte Bobcats (twice) and New Orleans Hornets prove that. Talk about playing to the level of your opponent. Summing All Of It Up Would be the Celtics ready for take-off? The next couple months can provide us with the answer.Jared Wickerham/Getty Pictures With the playoffs quickly approaching, Bostonas bipolarity between home and away is just a important problem. The staff canat expect you'll create a deep work if the location of the overall game alone is sufficient to determine how well it will or will not play. Itas simply not practical. Nevertheless, while consistency has proven to be an irritating problem for the Celtics this season, the search for an identity has to be their priority. Without one, the group serves as just a sitting duck to who ever it matches up with throughout the first round. Fortuitously for Boston, you can still find 13 activities remaining in the standard time. Sure, itas little time, but itas just enough for the group to get on a roll. Sometimes it can help to be streaky. And that sums up the Celtics 2012-13 season in six words or less. All stats utilized in this short article are due to NBA.com's Media Central (registration required) For everything Celtics and complete group insurance, follow Sebastian on Facebook and on Twitter
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