Here is a look at the 1st Round Schedule for the Celtics. Mike Gorman, Tommy Heinsohn and Greg Dickerson will bring you all the action beginning Sunday for Game 1. Make sure to tune-in to Comcast SportsNet tonight at 8:00pm for a one-hour playoff preview, “Drive for 17 presented by Mohegan Sun”.

Game 1: Sunday, April 20, 8:30 p.m. (CSN HD) — at Boston
Game 2: Wednesday, April 23, 8 p.m. (CSN HD) — at Boston
Game 3: Saturday, April 26, 8 p.m. (CSN HD) — at Atlanta
Game 4: Monday, April 28, 8 p.m. (CSN HD) — at Atlanta
Game 5: Wednesday, April 30 — at Boston (if necessary)
Game 6: Friday, May 2 — at Atlanta (if necessary)
Game 7: Sunday, May 4 — at Boston (if necessary)

Comcast SportsNet is conducting the 2nd Annual “Media Madness” Tourney, pitting guests of Mohegan Sun’s Sports Tonight against one another, to be voted through round by round by the fans. Hosts Gary Tanguay and Michael Felger give us their expert picks for the first round matchups. To make your picks, register for free as a “Sports Nut”.

Click here for a printable bracket

FELGER BRACKET

Joe Haggerty vs Tony Massarotti
Mike Felger: Tony Maz — Hags lucky to make the big leagues out of camp
Gary Tanguay: Sorry Joe. I like your blog name better (Hacks with Hags) but Mazz wrote two books.

Donny Marshall vs Tommy Heinsohn
Felger: D Marsh — I’m new shool on this one
Tanguay: No way. I am not touching this one.

Michael Silverman vs Marc Spears
Felger: Silverman — tight one among the quiet men
Tanguay: The playoff bound Celtics help Mark Spears. Mike misses Pedro.

Andy Gresh vs Don Banks
Felger: Gresh — Banks is giving up a lot of weight
Tanguay: Love Done Banks…great knowledge however need to go with the size of my radio brother…THE GRESH MONSTER. Plus he needs the work.

GARY BRACKET

My candle burns at both ends;
It will not last the night;
But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends–
It gives a lovely light!

– Edna St. Vincent Millay

Enjoy it while it lasts. That is what keeps running through my mind when I think about this Celtics team. This is far and away the best Celtics team since the original Big Three last played together. After beating the Pistons, they might be the best team in the NBA. For fans, it seems like just yesterday that we were sobbing over ping pong balls. Months into the season, I’m still pinching myself at our good fortune.

But how long can it last? How many shots at the golden ring do we get with three stars over 30? What future have we sacrificed in order to enjoy the present? As the Miami Heat have proven, as quickly as it comes together, it can fall apart just as fast. I want to enjoy the present for all it is worth, but I can’t help but look forward towards an uncertain future.

Derrick Gunn at Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia reports that the Eagles have a deal in place with Asante Samuel.

The following is the story:

Samuel Visiting Eagles on Friday

ComcastSportsNet.com

It appears the Eagles are planning once again to deviate from their model and sign a high-profile free agent.

A league source has told Comcast SportsNet’s Derrick Gunn that the Eagles have a deal in place with Patriots free-agent cornerback Asante Samuel.

Now, it’s just a matter of finalizing it – which the Eagles failed to do two years ago when they lost center LeCharles Bentley to Cleveland.

Samuel, 27, is visiting the Eagles’ practice facility on Friday.

Donovan McNabb has made a cry for more playmakers – and Samuel is one, albeit on the other side of the ball. The 5-foot-10, 185-pound five-year veteran had 22 career interceptions, three of which he returned for touchdowns.

The Eagles were not only last in the league last season with 19 takeaways but also the only team not to reach 20. They were also tied for last in the league with 11 interceptions.

Red Sox centerfielder Jacoby Ellsbury sits down with Tanguay and Felger.

Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia has some fun with Comcast SportsNet’s Gary Tanguay on Mohegan Sun’s Sports Tonight on February 21st at the Punk Shell Resort as part of CSN’s Spring Training coverage. This incident began with Gary doubting the eventual Rookie of the Year during his early season slump. Needless to say, Pedroia did not forget about it.

Click here to embed the video 

Most will look at the record. At 34-8, any Celtics follower would be proud to point this fact out. Some will look at #5, Mr. Garnett as the reason for the good fortunes of the Celtics (except for Sunday’s loss to Orlando….C’mon…a Hedo Turkoglu fade-away 3 at the buzzer over solid defense by Pierce….If those circumstances happen again, the world will most likely collapse instantaneously!). Others will cite 88, as the number of PPG the Celtics are allowing this season (#1 in the NBA). I will use this number; 40…the number of games to be played before the playoffs begin as the green try to accomplish what they have not been able to do since 1986. I don’t even have to say it. Everyone knows what I am talking about.

Here we go with my midway report card…

Ray Allen - Sugar Ray has played this season as expected. I think he may just now be getting his body right after some ankle issues last season. I think he will shoot better in the 2nd half of the year. He is one of the classiest guys I have ever been in contact with, regardless of the situation. He is the least talked about of the “Marquee Three” (my nickname that I try to push on whoever is listening), and he has made the most sacrifices in his game. That is worth respecting a whole lot. Original Grade: B - after second thought and remembering those 2 cold-blooded 3’s against Toronto and Charlotte…Grade: B+