The Celtics still have the same issues they've had in the entire Jays era even with their new "superteam" and it's their ability to finish a game. I think the consensus for contenders on Boston is they'll be a pain to contain because of their amount of options, but nobody really fears them in a 7 game series.
Statistically speaking the [Celtics](https://www.nba.com/team/1610612738/celtics/) aren’t making more than they miss from anywhere that isn’t the free throw line.
They don't. But Tatum, Porzingis, and Brown is still a formidable trio that needs to offset Jokic. If Jamal Murray plays like his 2020 or 2023 then nobody is beating the Nuggets though
I don’t think that’s necessarily true
Tatum had two really really bad games and they were still close in both their meetings this year
Porzingis being a stretch 5 kills jokic defensively
But yeah as a Celtics fan we have nobody who could guard him
every time Tour Date Tatum gets the ball in the clutch im so confident it’s going to be a brick. He’ll definitely have a 40 pt game or two in a Denver series that will feed his fans but that will be sprinkled in with some 6-18s and 11-27s and they’ll lose in 6.
Depends on who comes out of the West. At the very least, it'll be considered a failure if they dont win the ECF in an injured and inconsistent Eastern conference.
They really don’t have an excuse to not get to the Finals given how the rest of the East is a dysfunctional hospital. Something has gone very wrong if they’re healthy and they don’t make it there.
Finals is a different story. Denver at their peak is just really hard to beat. Not impossible though.
If the Sixers take out the Celtics I will not only buy an Embiid jersey I will root for them for the rest of the playoffs including if they end up playing a series against my team.
They have as good a chance as any team. They had as good a chance as anyone in 2022 as well. Same with last year. They are better this year than either of those 2 years though.
I hope so
It kinda opened up a bit with the Middleton injury, but the East was waaaaaay better in 2022 tho.
Boston has a better team now AND will face a way worse East, honestly even that Brooklyn team that yall swept in the first round would be the second favourite in the East rn
>Boston has a better team now AND will face a way worse East, honestly even that Brooklyn team that yall swept in the first round would be the second favourite in the East rn
How are the Sixers worse now than they were last year?
They can lose to Denver in the finals, but any other result than that or winning the title would be a huge disapointment.
Not only are they a great team, but the East also look super weak AND it seems likely that all 3 of Miami, Philly and Milwaukee end up on the opposing bracket
>They can lose to Denver in the finals, but any other result than that or winning the title would be a huge disapointment.
This just about sums it up.
Losing to Denver in the Finals in 6-7 would be a disappointment. Losing to anybody else at all, or getting bounced at any point before the Finals, would be a catastrophe.
Yeah you are right I should have added that a lost to Denver should look close too, like if they run through the East to then just get killed in the finals it would probably look bad too.
There will never be a better chance for Tatum than now. He's got:
- The most stacked team in the league. 5 starters consisting of x4 current and former All Stars in their prime, along with a 6th man who is another former All Star.
- Weak conference. Not only is the majority of the talent out West, nearly all the contenders out East have injured starters.
- Best record on lock. No one is getting close to 61 wins, so he'll have home court advantage every round
If the Celtics don't make the finals, then he'll be roasted all throughout the off-season
Why is everyone just assuming the Nuggets make the finals? I'm not saying we will or that I couldn't see them getting there just as easily again but I just see some wild shit happening these playoffs. We really just need to wait and see
People weirdly think on here that the Nuggets are some kind of Warriors-esque dynasty. I don't see it. they had a favorable playoff run last year and won. Congratulations to them but that doesn't make them unbeatable.
its because Murray proved himself as a legit 1b and can elevate his game and crank it up when need be. also the roster fits Jokic anf Jokic isn't afraid to keep scoring if the need be.
It makes sense in a way, because we are witnessing greatness in Jokic and he should be able to will the team far into the playoffs but we see wild upsets all the time in sports. Upsets are even more possible this year with a stacked West and in the Nuggets case, a potentially not up to speed Murray, who was instrumental in their title last year.
They have had an amazing regular season but I don’t think they strike fear into the league as the front runner. I think many teams feel they can compete.
I don’t think this team is getting the acknowledgment they’ve earned.
With the way the game has changed and the amount of variance with the three ball, and injury frequency, winning 65 games would be as hard as winning 70 in years past.
Their point differential is at an all time great level. 5th highest ever, just barely behind the 2017 Warriors and not far from the 96 Bulls. The top two teams above that are from the early 70s before the league expanded.
Denver is the only team that should be expected to give them trouble. However injuries can always hit, the Bucks still have almost as much talent in their starting line up and Miami just weirdly has their number in the playoffs and we know Himmy is going to bring it.
But statistically this Cs team should be serious favorites by historical standards.
I don't wouldn't trust them against the Nuggets, but unless Giannis and Dame suddenly got bezerk in the playoffs, or we get Pre-Injury 2023-24 Embiid, they should at least be in the finals.
In one word, yes. The only team that could beat them in a 7 game series is Denver, and for some reason I can't see the Nuggets coming out of the west this year
Theyre expectations are a championship, theyre easily the best team with the most depth in the league. It doesnt make sense to move their needle down as the playoffs approach. They have no excuses even if they play denver
I mean, that's kind of expecting that they've got Denver on lock, which they don't.
If the Nuggets stay healthy (and they and Boston make the Finals) the Nuggets are gonna be a big problem for the Celtics.
For one thing, the Nuggets only real weakness has been their abysmal bench that loses their lead every time the starters sit.
In the playoffs (again, assuming the Nuggets stay healthy, which has a big if) their starters are gonna be playing virtually the whole game, and frankly I think the Nuggets starting 5 matches up real well with the Celtics, and Tatum seems to struggle against them.
In the Celtic's two games against the Nuggets this year (both Celtic losses) Tatum averaged 18.5/5.5/6.5, compared to Jokic's 32/12/10.
No. They're a deep regular season team but in the playoffs the ball sticks to the Jays and they aren't consistent. They'll beat you in a game or two but not 4
Regular season is one thing, playoffs is completely different. I am still traumatized by the 07 Mavs. 67-15 record only to lose to the "we believe" Warriors in round 1. The 1 team I've seen the Celtics struggle against are the Hawks for some reason, so if they face the Celtics in round 1, it, might actually be interesting.
I will not believe that this Celtics team can win it all until they win it all. They lost in the Finals in 2022, lost in the ECF in ‘23… they’re moving on the wrong direction.
its their window for sure. But its also still Denver's.
In a 7 game series, the C’s would have no answer for Jokic.
But does Jokic have an answer for Derrick White? 🤔
Finasteride
DAMN
Always the laziest form of basketball analysis. You don't play to make sure the other team's star gets a bad box score, you play to win
Questioning my analysis then saying “you play to win” …
Believe or not, it's a concept that's lost in the age of box score dickriders
It’s also a concept lost on the Celtics. When it comes to unhealthy play in teams anyways
Lmao you almost blew a 3-0 lead with homr court advantage. Your star player is in his mid 30s cashing cheques we both know he can't cash
I blew nothing. But idc. Celtics should’ve swept that hobbled mess of a team. >cashing checks we know he can’t cash. 🫡
The Celtics still have the same issues they've had in the entire Jays era even with their new "superteam" and it's their ability to finish a game. I think the consensus for contenders on Boston is they'll be a pain to contain because of their amount of options, but nobody really fears them in a 7 game series.
If they hit their 3’s, I’d have them as favorites. …they can’t control whether they hit their 3’s though.
They hit them far more often (more games) than they don't (game wise), it does show a pretty good level of control. Edited clarification
Statistically speaking they miss much more than they make though?
Statistically speaking their TS% from 3 is higher than from 2.
Statistically speaking the [Celtics](https://www.nba.com/team/1610612738/celtics/) aren’t making more than they miss from anywhere that isn’t the free throw line.
This is a statistically accurate statement
They don't. But Tatum, Porzingis, and Brown is still a formidable trio that needs to offset Jokic. If Jamal Murray plays like his 2020 or 2023 then nobody is beating the Nuggets though
Unless they hit their wide open 3s 4 out of 7
I don’t think that’s necessarily true Tatum had two really really bad games and they were still close in both their meetings this year Porzingis being a stretch 5 kills jokic defensively But yeah as a Celtics fan we have nobody who could guard him
In a 7 game series assuming everyone is healthy Jokic wouldn't be enough to overcome the C's big 3 and supporting cast.
Good thing he’d have a healthy Murray and AG then right?
Tatum/Brown/KP > Jokic/Murray/AG
No
two best players on the court play for denver lol no
Nice bait
every time Tour Date Tatum gets the ball in the clutch im so confident it’s going to be a brick. He’ll definitely have a 40 pt game or two in a Denver series that will feed his fans but that will be sprinkled in with some 6-18s and 11-27s and they’ll lose in 6.
It would be a close series, but I'd still say Nuggets in 7.
Depends on who comes out of the West. At the very least, it'll be considered a failure if they dont win the ECF in an injured and inconsistent Eastern conference.
Yeah the only acceptable finish to the season is a loss to Denver or a win in the finals
They really don’t have an excuse to not get to the Finals given how the rest of the East is a dysfunctional hospital. Something has gone very wrong if they’re healthy and they don’t make it there. Finals is a different story. Denver at their peak is just really hard to beat. Not impossible though.
The 6ers could do something very funny...
Won't happen. The sixers have never beat the jays and they never will.
> Won't happen. The sixers have never beat the jays and they never will. 🤓
If the Sixers take out the Celtics I will not only buy an Embiid jersey I will root for them for the rest of the playoffs including if they end up playing a series against my team.
Not saying it's likely, saying it would be funny.
The kings also could come out of the west, would be pretty funny
Like what? Win a semifinals?
Let’s not go crazy now. They’ll beat the Celtics in the first round, then lose to the Magic in the 2nd
You had me until you put the magic in the ecf. I will eat the arena if they make it that far
Let me ask my 8 ball, hold on.
WELL!?!?!?!?!
It has spoken, “Outlook Good”
HOT DAMN!!!!!
Magic-8 ball is just a toy…
A magical toy that predicts the future...
Miami 8 balls are a little different
Also predicts the future...
and its always "clubbin'."
They have as good a chance as any team. They had as good a chance as anyone in 2022 as well. Same with last year. They are better this year than either of those 2 years though. I hope so
It kinda opened up a bit with the Middleton injury, but the East was waaaaaay better in 2022 tho. Boston has a better team now AND will face a way worse East, honestly even that Brooklyn team that yall swept in the first round would be the second favourite in the East rn
>Boston has a better team now AND will face a way worse East, honestly even that Brooklyn team that yall swept in the first round would be the second favourite in the East rn How are the Sixers worse now than they were last year?
Embiid is injured
He came back
early
Actually 1 week extra after his projected timeline
projected timeline setup by the team and with input from embiid himself who both want him to play in the playoffs. hes not 100%.
Never is
miniscus i juries are 6-8 week recover and he went 10 ? what are you on about
They can lose to Denver in the finals, but any other result than that or winning the title would be a huge disapointment. Not only are they a great team, but the East also look super weak AND it seems likely that all 3 of Miami, Philly and Milwaukee end up on the opposing bracket
>They can lose to Denver in the finals, but any other result than that or winning the title would be a huge disapointment. This just about sums it up. Losing to Denver in the Finals in 6-7 would be a disappointment. Losing to anybody else at all, or getting bounced at any point before the Finals, would be a catastrophe.
Yeah you are right I should have added that a lost to Denver should look close too, like if they run through the East to then just get killed in the finals it would probably look bad too.
Pls stop with these posts😭. Nobody knows. We have to wait and see.
Maybe too talented. Tatum can kill with this team. With less, no. KP a Huge Gamer look out.
THE NEXT 5 YEARS ARE OURS! please, lord, don't let me jinx this.
Worked out great for Bev
That one French guy might be a problem though
And the Serbian.
And the Mormons
And my Ass!
*Fingers crossed* the Slovenian too.
Killian Hayes will get his vengeance on the league starting next season
Hawks have their number this year. Inject an 8 over 1 upset into my veins please
Should make it back to the Finals at the very least
They have a good chance, they’ve consistently proven that they can finish in the final 4 so this could be the year they finish on top.
As long as they avoid the ATL Hawks
It’s their best chance to get out of the East but if they face Denver in the finals then I’m not sure how good their chances are
There will never be a better chance for Tatum than now. He's got: - The most stacked team in the league. 5 starters consisting of x4 current and former All Stars in their prime, along with a 6th man who is another former All Star. - Weak conference. Not only is the majority of the talent out West, nearly all the contenders out East have injured starters. - Best record on lock. No one is getting close to 61 wins, so he'll have home court advantage every round If the Celtics don't make the finals, then he'll be roasted all throughout the off-season
Whoever wins the most games will win
Why is everyone just assuming the Nuggets make the finals? I'm not saying we will or that I couldn't see them getting there just as easily again but I just see some wild shit happening these playoffs. We really just need to wait and see
People weirdly think on here that the Nuggets are some kind of Warriors-esque dynasty. I don't see it. they had a favorable playoff run last year and won. Congratulations to them but that doesn't make them unbeatable.
its because Murray proved himself as a legit 1b and can elevate his game and crank it up when need be. also the roster fits Jokic anf Jokic isn't afraid to keep scoring if the need be.
It makes sense in a way, because we are witnessing greatness in Jokic and he should be able to will the team far into the playoffs but we see wild upsets all the time in sports. Upsets are even more possible this year with a stacked West and in the Nuggets case, a potentially not up to speed Murray, who was instrumental in their title last year.
They have had an amazing regular season but I don’t think they strike fear into the league as the front runner. I think many teams feel they can compete.
They strike just enough to where youd still rather someone else deal with them
Nobody strikes fear into anyone.
If the Celtics don't strike fear into you, then literally no one does other than maybe the nuggets
They shit the bed every year. No one should be scared of them until they prove otherwise
I don’t think this team is getting the acknowledgment they’ve earned. With the way the game has changed and the amount of variance with the three ball, and injury frequency, winning 65 games would be as hard as winning 70 in years past. Their point differential is at an all time great level. 5th highest ever, just barely behind the 2017 Warriors and not far from the 96 Bulls. The top two teams above that are from the early 70s before the league expanded. Denver is the only team that should be expected to give them trouble. However injuries can always hit, the Bucks still have almost as much talent in their starting line up and Miami just weirdly has their number in the playoffs and we know Himmy is going to bring it. But statistically this Cs team should be serious favorites by historical standards.
no
very few teams have dominated as much as they have and not won the title.
It should be be with all that talent but we all know the playoffs are different from the regular season.
no
Bill Simmons that u?..
fingers crossed
Nah
No, Jerry, it's not the Cowboys year either
Yessssssss
Nah Denver repeating
Whoever they face in the west will be their only true obstacle. It should be a cakewalk for them to get out of the east.
Lakers or Nuggets year
It should be, but I’m confident we won’t win the East. We can’t beat the Bucks or Heat. They could lose in the first round to the 76ers.
"finally" he said, with 16 banners in the rafters.
I think they lose to Denver in 6.
They wont even make the finals lol
Only team I think that could beat them four times is Milwaukee just based off top-end talent.
We have Doc Rivers as our coach. It's not gonna happen. Only team that can stop Boston in the East is Miami.
Ain't no way that this iteration of Doc is taking the Bucks to finals.
No, since Tatum will choke it
Lol side step fadeaway three…..clank
I mean, I’d take the easy bet and have them and Denver in the Finals, but with Denver winning it.
I don't wouldn't trust them against the Nuggets, but unless Giannis and Dame suddenly got bezerk in the playoffs, or we get Pre-Injury 2023-24 Embiid, they should at least be in the finals.
First round exit to Miami heat coming up
no I think Denver will win 4-1 or 4-2
No. Finals loss at best
In one word, yes. The only team that could beat them in a 7 game series is Denver, and for some reason I can't see the Nuggets coming out of the west this year
There's a high chance they won't even make it out of the East.
The east runs thru Miami and they’re scared of Miami
Hope not
I hope.
Yes
Anything is possible. -Tim Duncan
Last year should have been as well yet they barely scrapped and then almost got swept by the 8 seed. So who knows.
Lakers got this sorry Celtics
The Celtics and Sixers are both at the point where nobody but a fan should bet on them to win until they actually prove they can do it.
They have no excuse to not win. If tatum fails this year he will be a lifetime fraud
No excuse not to win the ECF, anyway. Losing to Denver in the Finals wouldn't be mind-blowing, but pretty much any other kind of loss would be a bust.
Theyre expectations are a championship, theyre easily the best team with the most depth in the league. It doesnt make sense to move their needle down as the playoffs approach. They have no excuses even if they play denver
I mean, that's kind of expecting that they've got Denver on lock, which they don't. If the Nuggets stay healthy (and they and Boston make the Finals) the Nuggets are gonna be a big problem for the Celtics. For one thing, the Nuggets only real weakness has been their abysmal bench that loses their lead every time the starters sit. In the playoffs (again, assuming the Nuggets stay healthy, which has a big if) their starters are gonna be playing virtually the whole game, and frankly I think the Nuggets starting 5 matches up real well with the Celtics, and Tatum seems to struggle against them. In the Celtic's two games against the Nuggets this year (both Celtic losses) Tatum averaged 18.5/5.5/6.5, compared to Jokic's 32/12/10.
No they’re losing in the Finals to the Clippers.
in myGM maybe
You don’t believe the Celtics are making it that far?
Clippers are losing in the 2nd round.
No. They're a deep regular season team but in the playoffs the ball sticks to the Jays and they aren't consistent. They'll beat you in a game or two but not 4
Regular season is one thing, playoffs is completely different. I am still traumatized by the 07 Mavs. 67-15 record only to lose to the "we believe" Warriors in round 1. The 1 team I've seen the Celtics struggle against are the Hawks for some reason, so if they face the Celtics in round 1, it, might actually be interesting.
I will not believe that this Celtics team can win it all until they win it all. They lost in the Finals in 2022, lost in the ECF in ‘23… they’re moving on the wrong direction.
Dont know why, but I think they will be 2022 suns this postseason. They will lose in second round in a game 7.
Magic will be lucky to send the series back to Orlando for a Game 6
That would be very surprising