Tom:
The Celtics battle for Banner 18 starts tonight when the Heat take on the Hawks - with the winner facing Boston in the first round. Miami is favored to be the Celtics opponent in the first round of the playoffs, and The Green split the season series with the Heat this season at 2-2.
If Boston takes the Miami series, they move on to tackle (perhaps) the 76'ers and then (maybe) the Bucks. Per FanDuel, The Bucks are slated to come out of the East to face - and defeat - the Phoenix Suns. The odds and projected outcomes are shown below.
That's what we see on paper, but Joe Mazzulla and his guys don't agree with that potential outcome. In the possible Eastern Conference clashes, the Celtics will have problems with Miami but should prevail. Likewise with Philly. Milwaukee? The Bucks are favored by many to take the whole package this year, so expect a battle if the two powers meet.
Boston's biggest challenge, if they make the Finals, would be the Phoenix Suns. They are regarded as the power of the West with their foursome of Chris Paul, Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton. CP3 is a savvy vet - Durant is one of the very-best to ever play - Booker is a menace on offense - and Ayton is a great fourth option. Still, Boston counters with Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Marcus Smart, Al Horford, Malcolm Brogdon, Derrick White and (hopefully) a healthy and rested Rob Williams. Could be a Hell of a series.
The Celtic Knight:
C's fans who do you believe will be a road block to Banner 18?! I would love your feedback in the comments. In the East it seems that we will likely have to go through the Heat, Sixers, and Bucks. I know Miami has given us fits last year and even during the regular season. Yet I'm not afraid of them. Spo is a heck of a coach but their roster is flawed. I expect the C's to beat em in five.
Next up would and should be Philly, Embid is a monster but he also tires easy. I feel the C's would beat em in five or six, depending on if the NBA wants a longer series. At the end of the East should stand the Bucks lead by my guy Giannis! Who I love watching and his story inspired me. That will be a slugfest of epic proportions! I have the C's in six, possibly seven... Once again it's about the NBAs agenda. To me out East the Bucks are the biggest road block and hurdle for the C's.
If you want to know who out West could ultimately cause us nightmares it's....... The Warriors, with the Suns just a hair under them. I don't know how the seeding out West looks but if either of these beasts come out it beware. Why did I say Warriors first because of Steph Curry! That dude is a monster and can carry a team as he did last year. Plus the Warriors own a little space in our heads. Plus Kerr would be ahead of Joe in coaching unfortunately.
The Suns are DANGEROUS, why..... Kevin Durant can take over a game at any moment. Devin Booker is a smooth operator out there, Ayton is an excellent rebounder and yes Chris Paul has a little bit left in the tank. The only thing that can stop KD will be a tandem of the Jays playing lights out defense which they did last season to him!
Biggest Roadblocks in this order.....
1 Bucks
2 Warriors/Suns
3 Sixers
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