The common season is winding to an in depth.
Now, Celtics followers ought to flip their consideration to the center of the Japanese standings.
The introduction of the Play-in tournament has not been Adam Silver’s hottest transfer.
The Celtics have benefited from groups just like the Warmth and Magic limping out of the playoffs, giving them a straightforward first-round matchup. Nonetheless, this 12 months won’t be the case.
At the moment, I’ll rank the three potential groups on how scared I might be for the Celtics to face them, in addition to their head-to-head report with the C’s this 12 months.
The three groups talked about are as a result of 82nd sport affecting the squads listed beneath.
3) Orlando Magic // Report In opposition to Celtics – 1-2
This group lacks a real offensive engine wanted to make a playoff run. Regardless of giving us a chippy collection final 12 months, the Celtics mustn’t concern Orlando this season. Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner form an unusual wing duo that typically doesn’t circulate collectively.
Defensively, they lack a true interior defender, creating huge openings for slashing. I like this matchup for the Celtics as effectively; Tatum has performed effectively traditionally towards Banchero. I’m scared to say this might be a sweep, so I’ll say Celtics in 5.
2) Philadelphia 76ers // Report In opposition to Celtics – 2-2
Credit score: Boston Celtics-Twitter/XThe Celtics and their outdated rivals, the 76ers, all the time carry aptitude to their playoff conferences. This 12 months, it might be extra lopsided. Joel Embiid is currently on the IR for appendicitis however is predicted to play come spherical one. Whereas he has not lived as much as his MVP self, he’s nonetheless a power to be reckoned with and considered one of Neemias Queta’s largest challenges.
The backcourt of Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe will power a high-speed type of play that Derrick White and Jaylen Brown are adept at adjusting to. My main concerns for this series would be Maxey getting on a hot streak or our bigs getting bullied by Embiid and veteran Andre Drummond on the boards.
1) Toronto Raptors // Report In opposition to Celtics – 0-4
You may take a look at that report and query why I’ve the Raptors above the Magic and 76ers. Our video games towards the Raps had been gained by a mean margin of 12 factors, but felt shut. I’ve been a big fan of their offseason moves and felt like one of many solely defenders of the Brandon Ingram acquisition. Toronto has taken an amazing leap this 12 months and feels strong on each side of the ground. Their offense can really feel stagnant at occasions; if BI will get the ball, the possession often ends in a jumper. Poeltl is a strolling double-double, and I might like to see his matchup towards Queta.
They’re a tall group however can even change to a small-ball lineup with rookie Collin Murray-Boyles on the 5. They’re a younger, rising group, however to me, it comes right down to their offense operating by means of an iso scorer in Ingram or an inconsistent shooter like Scottie Barnes, who pushes the Celtics over the sting.
Do These Groups Pose a Menace to the Celtics?
I believe the Cs ought to skate by means of the primary spherical in not more than 6 video games. All three groups are youthful squads with out main playoff expertise and lack the defensive infrastructure to deal with the Celtics multifaceted method.
Even the Raptors, by far the stoutest protection group listed, struggles on the perimeter.
