Over the next week, the Celtics will play five games against a potential first round opponent in Philadelphia, the top two teams in the East – Chicago and Miami – and just for fun also get the Wizards for two sets of back-to-backs.

For fans and observers who desperately want to see the Celtics make some kind of positive impact before the playoffs start that would seem like an ideal opportunity to make a statement of some kind. Don’t count Celtics coach Doc Rivers among them.

“The whole statement [game] crap, so they beat us and make a statement, you think that matters in Game 1 [of the playoffs]? It doesn’t matter to us,” Rivers said. “So let’s beat them when they’re making a statement. Maybe that will make a statement.”

The Celtics will try to win those games, of course. There is still the obvious goal of trying to get the second seed in the East, which would give them homecourt advantage against the Heat in the second round.

But there is also the reality that Rivers won’t coach the regular season like the playoffs and he will keep the minutes for his starters in their regular pattern, if not reduce them. Rivers said he would like to try and rest Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce for an entire game, but getting those two to sit is sometimes easier said than done. The back-to-backs with the Wizards, which bookend matchups with the Bulls and Heat, would be a good place for such a maneuver. 

Beyond that, there is also the matter of establishing some kind of continuity with the second unit. Delonte West and Glen Davis are set, but there is still the issue of getting Jeff Green into a consistent role. Rivers feels like Green is deferring too much and would like to see him initiate his own offense more.

Also left undecided is what to do at the center position with Nenad Krstic coming back from a knee injury and Jermaine O’Neal getting his timing back. Then there is Shaquille O’Neal whose future prospects are entirely up in the air. He may play by the end of the week. He may not. 

Rotations? They’re not likely to get that down until the playoffs.

“We’re not getting that set,” Rivers acknowledged after the Pistons game on Sunday. “That’s going to be just tough. What we have to do is get everyone on the same page, rhythm-wise. As far as rotations, I know it. It’s set. But we just got to get it together. We’ll be ready. If everyone’s healthy, I can tell you, I know it. I just haven’t seen it.”

More than wins and losses, the Celtics would like to get some sort of rhythm established heading into the postseason. When they are at their best, their play is seamless and comfortable like a trusty car that always starts in the morning. When they’re off they’ve been more like a lemon better left on the dealer’s lot.

“I’d like to see us have great energy starting the game and great energy finishing the game,” Ray Allen said. “How we played in San Antonio, I thought we played that way throughout. They jumped on us early but we played consistently. Regardless of who we play, that’s how I want to see us play for the rest of these games.”

Here’s a snapshot look at what lies ahead:

TUESDAY: PHILADELPHIA

It is very possible that the Celtics will open the playoffs with the 76ers, who have played .600 ball since opening the season with a 3-13 record. Their three games have been decided by a total of eight points with the Celtics winning the first two and Philly getting a win in early March. The Celtics should be in rhythm for this game and it’s a chance for Krstic and maybe even Troy Murphy to get on track.

THURSDAY: AT CHICAGO

Any hopes for the top seed went up in smoke once the Celtics dropped two winnable games at home against Memphis and Charlotte two weeks ago, but even with lowered stakes you can bet they will see Chicago’s best game. As for whether it will mean anything, see Rivers’ statement on statement games.

FRIDAY: WASHINGTON

The Celtics have already lost any realistic hope of getting the top seed based in no small part on their inability to win back-to-backs and it may wind up costing them the second seed as well. If you’re looking for a place where Rivers will deploy strategic rest, this is a good bet.

SUNDAY: AT MIAMI

Both the Celtics and Heat should have a better idea about their seeding by the time this game rolls around. Regardless of seeds, the fact remains that Miami has lost all three games against the Celtics and still have no answers for Rajon Rondo. This is the most important regular season game left on their schedule.

MONDAY: AT WASHINGTON

Nothing good can come out of this game.

The Celtics wrap things up with the Knicks two days later and if past season-enders are any indication, Avery Bradley should be ready to play 36 minutes. Then everything starts over and the real referendum on the 2011 Celtics will start.