I requested the employees to offer us the Celtics hardest matchup within the Japanese Convention. Understanding that the majority would possible say the Bucks, I additionally requested for his or her subsequent decisions.
Benjamin Torbert
I might say the Bucks for positive, however with them off the desk, I’ll take the Cavs. Mobley and Allen are elite defenders and rim protectors that may make life tough on the Jays driving to the rim. And Donovan Mitchell and Garland are elite guard scorers which have given the Celtics issues up to now and are able to profitable video games shut video games late even in opposition to nice protection.
Harris Rubenstein
If it’s not the Bucks, it’s nonetheless the Miami Warmth for me. Their common season report/efficiency is sort of meaningless to me, I feel come playoff time, that workforce will lock in and be an actual downside. Bam has taken a leap offensively and the highest 7 of their rotation continues to be actually good. Oh, they usually additionally nonetheless have possibly the perfect coach in basketball in Eric Spoelstra. They’ve been actually good at dwelling this season, 19-10 on the ASB, so this appears like a sleeping tiger to me. The much less Jimmy Butler I’ve to see within the playoffs the higher.
Daniel Poarch
The Milwaukee Bucks are probably the most gifted workforce within the convention outdoors of Boston, and the one workforce moreover Philadelphia that may make an argument for having the perfect particular person participant in a collection in opposition to the Celtics. They’re the most important risk by default for these causes.
Outdoors of the Bucks, although, the Cleveland Cavaliers are the workforce that offers me probably the most pause. The highlight has shifted away from them a bit after their scorching begin to the season, however they’re quietly sitting on the second-best internet score (+5.8) within the NBA. Donovan Mitchell has been a world-beater this season and is a battle-tested playoff performer, and the frontcourt duo of Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley have proven the power to place stress on the Celtics’ frontcourt depth in a method few groups can handle. I’m undecided that is The Yr for Cleveland — the shortage of wing depth to examine Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown is a obtrusive weak point — however they’re deep, gifted and on the upswing. A Celtics-Cavs playoff collection could be an extended one, I feel.
William Weir
Bucks are for positive the reply right here but when I’m trying past them, I feel the reply is the Cavs. They lack depth however their 2 huge males are elite defensively and their backcourt is probably going the perfect within the NBA. Donovan Mitchell is a giant time playoff performer and provides them the late recreation scorer that may put a scare into any workforce and if Mobley decides the playoffs are the time to begin taking a “leap” they might be hassle. If Boston weren’t at full energy, this might be a collection that offers them some hassle.
Trevor Hass
I agree with the bulk. It’s the Bucks, however after that, it’s the Cavaliers. They’ve performed the Celtics robust within the common season, and their athleticism is super. Donovan Mitchell is an issue, and the items round him mesh effectively. I feel the Cavs would be the subsequent Japanese Convention workforce to win a championship after the Celtics, nevertheless it gained’t occur this 12 months.
Ben Vallis
It’s the Bucks, however the Cavs are a detailed second. The Celtics have usually struggled in opposition to inside measurement, one thing the Cavs have an abundance of. I’d nonetheless take the Celtics over both workforce, however there might be loads of challenges on the highway again to the finals.
Robbie Hodin
Imagine it or not, I’m form of involved in regards to the Sixers this 12 months (and the Bucks, in fact). They’ve been enjoying some glorious basketball, and if Embiid and the remainder of the crew are wholesome come playoff time, they might be harmful regardless of their previous blunders in opposition to Boston. Regardless that the Cavs can pose some fascinating issues, I don’t actually view them as being prepared or skilled sufficient to compete in a playoff atmosphere, particularly in opposition to the Celtics.
Mike Dynon
Since my reply is the Bucks, the subsequent most tough could be Miami. The Warmth are presently in seventh place and will find yourself as Boston’s first-round opponent. We all know they’re well-coached, they usually have a number of gamers – Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro and Kyle Lowry – who’ve put up huge numbers usually in opposition to the Celtics. Off the bench, Gabe Vincent has proven indicators of being a Celtics-killer, and ex-Celtic Max Strus’ three-point taking pictures has tormented his former workforce on a number of events. Clearly, the Warmth would even be motivated to realize revenge after dropping Sport 7 to Boston at dwelling final season. The Celtics may undoubtedly beat the Warmth once more, however it could be an actual battle.
Bobby Manning
It’s the Cavaliers. Between their imposing entrance line and their smaller, shifty guards that the larger Celtics lineups can have hassle guarding, Cleveland nonetheless appears like a workforce to concern regardless of their lack of wing depth to defend Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum. The Bucks could be the toughest workforce to get rid of, however Cavs personal the perfect likelihood of truly upsetting the Celtics as a result of their defensive posture blended with Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland’s capacity to match Brown and Tatum’s scoring output. Milwaukee may return to this standing if Khris Middleton regains his outdated type, which we haven’t seen but.
Tim Sheils
I feel the Bucks are the clearly risk within the East, however the workforce I’d be extra involved about is the Cavaliers. I really feel extra assured with Boston being acquainted with Milwaukee, and the best way the Celtics defend Giannis is efficient. Cleveland’s athleticism and flexibility poses a frightening matchup downside, particularly Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley. Donovan Mitchell is having a implausible season, and is a scary participant within the clutch. They’re a detailed second the Bucks in my listing of opponents to be careful for.
Jeff Clark
Giannis alone makes the Bucks the proper alternative right here. Including in Vacation, a wholesome Middleton, and an elite protection is simply extra gasoline for the fireplace. Plus they’ve Championship expertise, so it gained’t be simple it doesn’t matter what.
With all that stated, I’m not ruling out the Cavs and 76ers because the hardest out. The Cavs could be somewhat too inexperienced and the Sixers stars have failed within the playoffs earlier than, however all it takes is one nice run to vary these narratives eternally.
Finally I’ll nonetheless say the Bucks, however these different groups aren’t far behind.
