Hardwood Houdini
Fansided

Should Struggling Playoff Teams Give Boston Celtics Extra Motivation?

By Don Porcaro Jr

BOSTON, MA - MAY 23: Jayson Tatum #0 and Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics are introduced prior to Game Five of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2018 NBA Playoffs against the Cleveland Cavaliers on May 23, 2018 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - MAY 23: Jayson Tatum #0 and Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics are introduced prior to Game Five of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2018 NBA Playoffs against the Cleveland Cavaliers on May 23, 2018 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

With teams in both conferences already getting some weaknesses exposed, the Boston Celtics are primed for a deep run.

It is still very early in the NBA Playoffs. Early enough that talking about a possible NBA Finals appearance still seems far-fetched for the Boston Celtics.

However, it’s always fun to think ahead, especially when the road looks slightly brighter than it has in the past. Although there haven’t been any major changes yet, the Celtics chances of making a finals run have already slightly increased.

Looking at the Philadelphia 76ers vs Brooklyn Nets series to start. This series on paper seems to heavily favor Philadelphia, but it’s becoming a popular first-round upset pick.

The consistent theme of the opening playoff games was exposing the opposing team’s weakness. We saw an example of this in the opening game of this series.

For the Nets in game one, the game-plan was to dare Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons to shoot 3-pointers.

Obviously, Simmons deferred while Embiid fired up five unsuccessful attempts.

In game two, Embiid refrained from shooting a three all game, which lead to the 76ers putting up 145 points and relying on rebounding and high-percentage shots.

The Celtics, if matched up against them, should have a similar gameplan as the Nets in game one.

Stuff the paint with Baynes and Horford and let Embiid fire away from downtown. On the offensive side of the ball, attack J.J. Reddick and force Philadelphia to take him out of the game, taking away one of their only 3-point threats.

This video from BBall Breakdown is a good example of how Philadelphia can easily be beaten, when defended correctly.

While the Celtics won’t have to worry about this matchup until the Eastern Conference Finals, Boston’s gameplan, if they did not already know before, has become more clear-cut.

The Toronto Raptors and Orlando Magic series has also shown something very interesting. Many believed the Raptors would run away with this series, but after Orlando took game one, opinions started to slightly shift. While Toronto is still clearly the favorite, some of their weaknesses have been exposed.

Death, taxes and Kyle Lowry choking in the playoffs.

At this point, it seems like a guarantee, and his no-show during game one was just further proof of that. The ghosts of Toronto Raptors playoff past that were known for shying about when the big moment (or LeBron) comes around, may have never actually left Toronto.

While Kawhi Leonard has an NBA Finals MVP to his name, the questions have come of whether or not he can make a big shot come playoff time. In game one against Orlando, a last-second airball in a potential game-tying shot did not help the prove that case wrong.

While there is no actual basketball film in game one besides missed shots and lack of hustle to show why Toronto lost, just the hope of Toronto once again choking should give Celtics fans hope.

Now, really looking ahead, there’s the Golden State Warriors. Of course, the Celtics need to get by Indiana, Milwaukee, and an Eastern Conference Finals matchup. It’s a long way away, but things got a little more interesting when DeMarcus Cousins went down with a supposed torn quad. Likely to miss the rest of the playoffs, if the Celtics do make it to the finals, the Warriors will be without Cousins.

Does Cousins going down give the Celtics a real shot at the NBA Finals? Not necessarily. Does it increase their chances slightly? Most likely.

The Warriors vs Celtics potential NBA Finals last season was supposed to be the most interesting matchup before Gordon Hayward went down. After adding Cousins it seemed borderline unfair. With Cousins out of the lineup, the matchup many have been waiting for could be back on and could be a serious seven-game series.

It’s still early in the first round, and there is still plenty of basketball to be played. The Celtics have to get past Indiana and Milwaukee before any of these matchups come into play. However, as of right now, it’s looking a little better for Boston than it was just a week ago.

Home/Celtics News