Courtesy of Boston.com

By: Jess Lander, YawkeyTalkies Editor

It has been a week of almost’s and close calls in Boston this week.

The Eagles almost upset Duke. The Blue Devils had a ten point lead at one point, but BC managed to cut it down and bring the game very much within their reach. Coming off a loss to Florida State but also a good win against Clemson a week before, the Eagles seemed to have the confidence to force an upset. The game ended 66-63, the Eagles just one missed three pointer away from beating the Blue Devils for only the third time ever. But that didn’t happen, and BC sits at ninth in the ACC.

The Celtics almost looked like their old selves and like they were going to beat the Magic, but then they just looked old. Going into halftime, the Celts were up by 11. Then the third quarter happened and the Magic outscored them 36-11 and closed out the game 96-89. More than just another loss, the Magic moved up into the Celts second place in the Eastern Conference. Just the week before, the Celts let the Magic and the Lakers take a lead out from under them, making this a clear pattern. Head Coach Dock Rivers said, “I love our team on paper, but we tend to be front-runners. When we get a good lead we relax and teams take advantage of it and then you’re caught and it’s tough to turn it back on.” Dear Celtics, stop acting like you have it in the bag when you don’t.

The Bruins almost tied the franchise record for most consecutive losses, but managed to end their 10 game losing streak with a 3-0 win over the Canadiens. Thank god, but this really isn’t anything to brag about. The Eastern Conference champions from last year used to close out close games, but the bad, bad Bruins of this year, give away those games. Out of those 10 losses, 4 were lost in a shoot out and 7 by one only goal, and in several the Bruins had the lead before lying down. Boston now sits 9th in the Conference, but at least still within playoff reach.

Here’s the problem with all of this. Almost doesn’t count. The biggest problem these teams are having (and part of the Patriots problem with last season too) is their inability to hold onto a lead and close out a game. BC is sort of an exception, because they’ve lost a lot of games by large disappointing margins. But, no matter what, when it comes to the post season, you can’t say “We’ll get them next time,” or “Well, it was close at least,” because there won’t be a next one, not this season. It’s lose and done, doesn’t matter if it’s by one goal or basket, almost, doesn’t bring home the trophy. Yeah, the Patriots almost went 17-0, but they didn’t. These teams need to stop settling, and start winning if they want any more of the glory Boston fans have grown used to.

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