19 thoughts as the Celtics begin 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 gained 5 of six and 19 of 21 and are enjoying 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 sturdy 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, after all, like to take 3’s, in order that battle is one thing to observe because the sequence progresses.

The Magic are properly above common defensively and match up higher with Boston than most groups. Don’t anticipate 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 along with 5. Sure, Orlando has all these traits, however the expertise hole is just too vital for the Magic to steal two.

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

4. Keep watch over Jaylen Brown.

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

Brown at 80 to 90 % is best 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 way of ache and making it onerous to inform how he really feels, however I’ll be watching him carefully Sunday to see how he’s shifting round.

5. Luke Kornet: man of the folks.

Luke Kornet has at all times 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 sequence as properly. The Kornet-Tatum pairing is deadly, and total, he’s only a very stable, essentially sound participant who approaches the sport the best approach.

In case you’re a diehard fan, you’ve seen this all yr. In case you’re an informal fan who begins watching carefully within the playoffs, to begin with, disgrace on you. Secondly, you’ll like what you see from Kornet.

6. Jayson Tatum’s taking pictures splits ought to go up.

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

However, he shot simply 42.7 % from the ground and 28.3 % from 3-point vary. I might 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 greater.

Someplace round 45 % from the ground and 35 % from 3 feels practical.

7. Jrue Vacation is the X-factor.

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

In 15 losses, these numbers dipped significantly to eight.1 factors, 34 % from the sector, 18.4 % from 3 and 83.3 % from the road. To name {that a} main drop-off can be an understatement. In fact, he contributes in lots of different methods, however it’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 usually 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 also be significantly illuminating for Sam Hauser.

In wins: 9.9 factors, 47.5 % from the ground and 43.8 % from 3. In losses: 4.8 factors, 35.5 % from the sector and 32.9 % from distance. Keep watch over his taking pictures 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 sport in losses than wins (which is fascinating in its personal proper).

9. You’ve gotta love the tip occasions.

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

10. The Knicks will make it a sequence.

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 sequence.

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’ most important benefits are total expertise, taking pictures and depth, so I feel these would be the distinction.

Celtics in 6.

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

In case you may simulate a sequence 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 shifting 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 purpose it might probably’t be even higher.

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

With that stated, do not anticipate one other cakewalk. A 16-3 document 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 likelihood each sequence exterior of the primary one goes at the very least six.

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

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

The Cavs are completely legit. Donovan Mitchell is a foul, dangerous man, and the supporting solid is sort 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 examine than most.

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

14. Something may occur within the Wild West.

The Thunder are the favorites and have one of the best likelihood, however the Lakers and Warriors are each extraordinarily harmful.

Might 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 enjoying some impressed basketball. The Timberwolves can’t be counted out, both.

With that stated, the Thunder have been traditionally dominant. It will be unwise to choose towards them. I’ll take the Thunder over the Lakers in 6.

15. I hold occupied with that 2010 Finals.

The 2008 championship will at all times have its place in Celtics lore, however the actuality is, that core ought to have gained 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 biggest. That was the one which bought away for Boston. This present workforce has already made its mark, however it has an opportunity to be an traditionally nice group with a second title.

If the Celtics get this one, then it’s time to begin speaking a couple of potential dynasty within the years to return.

16. Get pleasure from these couple months.

I at all times get a bit 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 can be a conflict.

I do imagine, after every part 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 enjoying on one other stage proper now, and it might be as much as Vacation, White and Brown to maintain him in examine. I’m at all times amazed by gamers like that, the place 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 gained Finals MVP final yr. I additionally imagine that on a fair deeper stage, Tatum is salty it wasn’t him. Nothing towards Brown, and it’s not a criticism of Tatum. It’s simply human nature.

I feel Tatum could 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 really dazzling efficiency.

19. They end the job once more.

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

I wouldn’t be shocked if the Thunder or Cavaliers gained it, however I feel the Celtics finally discover a approach in each sequence and end on prime.