The Boston Celtics kick off their title defense on Sunday as they host the Orlando Magic in Game 1 of the first round. Despite another 60-win season, the Celtics have a few problems heading into the postseason, most notably Jaylen Brown's knee. The reigning Finals MVP is expected to be ready for the series opener, but the latest reports suggest that he isn't going to be 100%.
Over the last two seasons, the Celtics have proven that they can defeat anybody, even when they are missing key players. Hopefully, Boston will be able to get through the playoffs fully healthy as they chase the 19th championship in franchise history.
Before the playoffs officially begin on Saturday, let's make some bold predictions.
1. Celtics Will Have an Easier-Than-Anticipated Path to Conference Finals
Even though Boston wasn't able to clinch the No.1 seed in the Eastern Conference, they should still have a relatively easy path to the conference finals. Orlando doesn't have enough offensive firepower, is arguably the worst-shooting team in the NBA, and is missing Jalen Suggs, making them unlikely to present a challenge for the Celtics.
In the next round, Boston will face the Knicks, whom they defeated in all four games this season, with a point differential of 65. The Celtics are 8-1 in their last nine games against the Knicks and are a uniquely difficult matchup for a team that has Karl-Anthony Towns and his defensive deficiencies at center.
2. Al Horford & Kristaps Porzingis Will Start Some Games Together
After small-ball lineups dominated the NBA over the last decade, two-big lineups are the new trend right now. The Celtics will potentially face the Bucks, who start Giannis Antetokounmpo and Brook Lopez, the Cavaliers, who start Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen, and the Thunder, who start Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein.
There will be a time when head coach Joe Mazzulla will deploy the Al Horford-Kristaps Porzingis duo in the starting lineup, likely pushing Jrue Holiday to the bench.
3. Celtics Will Face the OKC Thunder in the NBA Finals
The Cleveland Cavaliers will likely present the toughest challenge for the Celtics on their way to the NBA Finals. They are certainly better than any team the Celtics faced during last season's run. At the same time, this is the first time they are playing at this level and have more weaknesses than the Celtics, most notably their small and defensively-challenged backcourt.
Boston should be favored over the Cavs in a hard-fought battle, which should set them up in an NBA Finals clash against the best team in the league, the Oklahoma City Thunder. The West leaders are coming off an all-time great regular season, winning 68 games with a whopping point differential of +13.6 points per 100 possessions. That finals series between the Celtics and the Thunder would be one for the ages.