C US RISE
I get it. No-one is taking Boston as a serious contender this season for several reasons, starting with the team dysfunctions. 11 months after an ugly 87-79 game 7 loss in Eastern Conference Finals loss to Lebron James and the Cavaliers, the Celtics were primed to be the top dog in the East. At the start of the playoffs, they find themselves as the 4th overall seed with a record of 49-33.
Mapping out the Playoffs…
In the first round of the playoffs the 49-33 Celtics take on the 48-34 Pacers, a team they beat in seeding by a fingertip. Even if the two teams tied in records, the Celtics will still remain the #4 seed as they have tiebreaker (3-1) over the Pacers. With no Victor Oladipo present in Indiana's starting lineup, I expect the Celtics to wrap the series up in 6 games. Besides, it’s a good thing they play the Pacers in the first round of the playoffs as they can find their groove. The East is no walk in the park this season. Just because the “King” jumped ship in Cleveland does not mean no-one else will claim that throne.
(Photo by David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images)
Unfortunately for Boston, they will most probably have to go against the man who took that throne. Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks will be waiting for Boston in the semi-finals, a rematch of last seasons first-round matchup. The Celtics went on to win that electrifying 7 game playoff series behind Terry Rozier’s inaugural playoff series as the starting point guard. However, this time around the Bucks will look to finish the Celtics off in a span of no more than 6 games as Boston has only won 1/3 games against the Milwaukee.
Celtics’ Kyrie Irving has remained optimistic and confident in this unit stating “I still don’t see anybody beating us in 7 games.” Luckily for Boston, the playoffs mark a new beginning, the start of something new. Now hypothetically if they were to beat the Bucks in the second round, then the Eastern Conference finals should not be as tough as they will (most likely) be going up against the Sixers or Raptors. Something to look out for here is that both the Raptors and Sixers don’t have the best playoff track record. If the Celtics do find their groove and knock down the top-seeded Bucks, it’s safe to say that they are arguably the strongest team in the East.
Final Take.
Despite Boston’s second-half season struggles, Kyrie Irving’s optimism and confidence are going to set the tone early in the first-round. On top of that, it’s Kyrie’s first playoff run in a Celtics uniform as he was sidelined with a knee injury last season. A LOT is on the line here and both he and the team know that. Based on the Celtics playoff run this season, it can play a role in Kyrie’s free agency decision. Playoff Kyrie needs to show up and the Celtics need to play together as one unit. If this is rock bottom for Boston, then there is only one way left to go.
