19 ideas because the Celtics start their quest for Banner 19

It’s playoff time, child.

Listed below are 19 ideas because the Celtics attempt to go back-to-back.

1. Momentum issues.

I imagine momentum issues heading into the playoffs. The Celtics have received 5 of six and 19 of 21 and are taking part in a few of their finest basketball of the yr.

Sputtering to the end line wouldn’t have ruined their possibilities within the playoffs, however I do assume that ending the common season robust helps.

2. Don’t sleep on the Magic.

The Magic aren’t your typical 7-seed. They’ve handled accidents all year long and certain would have been the 4 or 5-seed in the event that they have been comparatively wholesome. They’re nonetheless lacking some key guys, however Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner are legit.

Orlando’s greatest power is minimizing 3-point makes an attempt for its opponents. The Celtics, in fact, like to take 3’s, in order that battle is one thing to watch because the collection progresses.

The Magic are properly above common defensively and match up higher with Boston than most groups. Don’t count on 4 blowouts.

3. Boston will take it in 5.

I’ve been going forwards and backwards between Celtics and 5 and Celtics in 6, however I’ve determined to go together with 5. Sure, Orlando has all these traits, however the expertise hole is just too important for the Magic to steal two.

I feel it’ll go about as anticipated, with the Celtics successful two at house, the groups splitting in Orlando and the Celtics ending it off at house. I feel two or three of the 5 video games might be decently shut and two or three might be lopsided.

4. Keep watch over Jaylen Brown.

It’s honest to be a bit of bit involved about Jaylen Brown’s knee, however I personally imagine he’ll look primarily like himself.

Brown at 80 to 90 p.c is healthier than most gamers at 100, however the Celtics want him at as near 100 as attainable to win all of it.

He has a knack for taking part in by means of ache and making it arduous to inform how he really feels, however I’ll be watching him intently Sunday to see how he’s transferring round.

5. Luke Kornet: man of the folks.

Luke Kornet has all the time been extremely regarded round these components, however he’s emerged as a real fan favourite this season.

I feel he’ll assist negate a few of Orlando’s size, and he ought to play a key function within the later collection as properly. The Kornet-Tatum pairing is deadly, and general, he’s only a very stable, essentially sound participant who approaches the sport the proper means.

If you happen to’re a diehard fan, you’ve seen this all yr. If you happen to’re an informal fan who begins watching intently within the playoffs, initially, disgrace on you. Secondly, you’ll like what you see from Kornet.

6. Jayson Tatum’s capturing splits ought to go up.

Tatum was masterful in so some ways throughout the title run – rebounding, passing, protection, recreation administration, hustle, coronary heart, and so forth.

However, he shot simply 42.7 p.c from the ground and 28.3 p.c from 3-point vary. I’d be shocked if these numbers have been that low once more, and it wouldn’t shock me in the event that they find yourself being considerably increased.

Someplace round 45 p.c from the ground and 35 p.c from 3 feels real looking.

7. Jrue Vacation is the X-factor.

In 47 wins this yr, Jrue Vacation averaged 12 factors per recreation and shot 47.8 p.c from the ground, 40.9 p.c from 3 and 92.3 p.c from the road.

In 15 losses, these numbers dipped significantly to eight.1 factors, 34 p.c from the sphere, 18.4 p.c from 3 and 83.3 p.c from the road. To name {that a} main drop-off could be an understatement. After all, he contributes in lots of different methods, but it surely’s intriguing nonetheless.

The Celtics are nice even when Vacation is simply OK as a scorer. When he’s extra aggressive and environment friendly within the course of, they’re typically unbeatable.

8. There’s an analogous sample for Sam Hauser.

Clearly most gamers’ stats are going to be worse in losses, however that pattern can be significantly illuminating for Sam Hauser.

In wins: 9.9 factors, 47.5 p.c from the ground and 43.8 p.c from 3. In losses: 4.8 factors, 35.5 p.c from the sphere and 32.9 p.c from distance. Keep watch over his capturing as a barometer for the workforce’s success.

For reference, Derrick White and Kristaps Porzingis and have comparable stats in wins and losses, whereas Jaylen Brown truly averages extra factors per recreation in losses than wins (which is fascinating in its personal proper).

9. You’ve gotta love the tip occasions.

It virtually appears like a misprint. A 3:30 p.m. Recreation 1 and seven p.m. Video games 2, 3 and 4 is superb. They’ll get later and later because it goes, however what a begin.

10. The Knicks will make it a collection.

I do know, I do know, the Celtics swept the Knicks within the common season and are a greater workforce. That’s true. However I imagine the Knicks will rise to the problem and make it a aggressive collection.

Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Cities are a dynamic duo, and Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby and Josh Hart all play their roles properly. The Celtics’ major benefits are general expertise, capturing and depth, so I feel these would be the distinction.

Celtics in 6.

11. The Celtics could also be much more potent this yr.

If you happen to might simulate a collection between final yr’s Celtics and this yr’s Celtics (bizarre idea, I do know), I feel this yr’s workforce would win in seven.

Every participant has improved barely, the chemistry is even higher and Porzingis is transferring properly and a serious weapon. I feel this yr’s workforce is barely higher. So long as this yr’s workforce is simply as hungry, there’s no cause it may well’t be even higher.

12. However, the trail might be more durable than final yr.

With that mentioned, do not count on one other cakewalk. A 16-3 report within the playoffs is really preposterous. Sure, their opponents have been shorthanded, however that’s ridiculous irrespective of the way you slice it.

I feel there’s a fairly good probability each collection outdoors of the primary one goes at the least six.

13. Celtics-Cavaliers may very well be an all-timer.

The Celtics-Cavaliers collection in 2008 continues to be my favourite of all-time. I don’t assume this one will fairly attain that degree, however I feel it’ll be shut.

The Cavs are completely legit. Donovan Mitchell is a foul, dangerous man, and the supporting solid is kind of stable. I feel lots of people are sleeping on the De’Andre Hunter acquisition. Nobody can cease Tatum completely, however he’s extra geared up to carry him in verify than most.

I feel the Celtics take it in 6 or 7 after an epic battle. I’ll go 7.

14. Something might occur within the Wild West.

The Thunder are the favorites and have the very best probability, however the Lakers and Warriors are each extraordinarily harmful.

May this be the yr the Clippers lastly make a run (the one time I don’t decide them, naturally)? I don’t absolutely belief the Rockets, however Ime Udoka has them taking part in some impressed basketball. The Timberwolves can’t be counted out, both.

With that mentioned, the Thunder have been traditionally dominant. It might be unwise to select in opposition to them. I’ll take the Thunder over the Lakers in 6.

15. I preserve interested by that 2010 Finals.

The 2008 championship will all the time have its place in Celtics lore, however the actuality is, that core ought to have received a second.

Accidents have been an element, however the Celtics have been nonetheless the higher workforce within the 2010 Finals. To me, that triumph is Kobe Bryant’s best. That was the one which received away for Boston. This present workforce has already made its mark, but it surely has an opportunity to be an traditionally nice group with a second title.

If the Celtics get this one, then it’s time to start out speaking a few potential dynasty within the years to come back.

16. Take pleasure in these couple months.

I all the time get a bit of unhappy when March Insanity ends, then I keep in mind the NBA Playoffs are simply across the nook and instantly get excited once more. There’s nothing prefer it.

17. Celtics-Thunder could be a warfare.

I do imagine, after all the things is sorted out, that will probably be Celtics-Thunder for the title. The Thunder are bodily, versatile, properly coached and hungry. They’ll be a greater than worthy opponent.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is taking part in on one other degree proper now, and it could be as much as Vacation, White and Brown to maintain him in verify. I’m all the time amazed by gamers like that, the place you realize what’s coming however nonetheless can’t cease it.

18. Tatum will win Finals MVP.

People are distinctive, as a result of we’re capable of compartmentalize two contrasting feelings and really feel them each deeply.

I imagine Tatum is authentically completely satisfied for Brown that Brown received Finals MVP final yr. I additionally imagine that on a good deeper degree, Tatum is salty it wasn’t him. Nothing in opposition to Brown, and it’s not a criticism of Tatum. It’s simply human nature.

I feel Tatum may have one thing particular in retailer within the Finals and fortify his standing as an all-time NBA nice (not that he isn’t already) with a very dazzling efficiency.

19. They end the job once more.

The Celtics beat the Thunder in 6 and repeat as NBA champions. They turn out to be the primary workforce to go back-to-back because the Warriors in 2017-18, formally set up themselves among the finest cores in NBA historical past and hoist Banner 19 at TD Backyard.

I wouldn’t be stunned if the Thunder or Cavaliers received it, however I feel the Celtics in the end discover a means in each collection and end on prime.