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Boston Celtics: 3 teams to keep an eye on from now till season’s end

By Mark Nilon

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - DECEMBER 12: Kemba Walker #8 of the Boston Celtics looks on during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers at TD Garden on December 12, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. The 76ers defeat the Celtics 115-109. 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. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - DECEMBER 12: Kemba Walker #8 of the Boston Celtics looks on during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers at TD Garden on December 12, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. The 76ers defeat the Celtics 115-109. 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. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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Boston Celtics (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
Boston Celtics (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Indiana Pacers

As mentioned in the previous slide, if the regular season were to end today the Boston Celtics would be starting off the the playoffs with a round-one matchup against the Indiana Pacers. The Pacers have been quite a pleasant surprise throughout the 2019-20 campaign, as they accumulated a very solid record of 30-17 all without their face of the franchise Victor Oladipo in the lineup.

The team’s All-Star shooting guard has been sidelined since January 23rd of last year, nursing a ruptured tendon in his right quad. A little over a year later (January 29th, 2019) Oladipo made his return to the hardwood, scoring nine points, along with the game-tying 3 that sent Indi to overtime and, ultimately helped them win the contest against the Chicago Bulls.

Despite his impressive season debut showing, since this game the Pacers have gone 2-5 (now 32-23 on the season) with Oladipo back in the lineup, thus seemingly stunting their momentum heading into the All-Star break.

However, to be frank, something like this should not come as a surprise, as they’re slowly trying to reincorporate the 27 year old after a year’s absence.

As the season winds down, Oladipo should start to get more comfortable with the flow of his team and, as many expect, he should be close to his old self once the playoffs hit. Because of this, the Boston Celtics should certainly keep an eye on the Pacers, for they very well could meet in the first round for the second straight season, only this time their best player will be healthy, which could make things a bit more challenging for the C’s.

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