Boston Celtics: Power ranking C’s 5 most realistic first-round matchups

Though the Boston Celtics have already clinched a playoff berth this season, their first-round opponent is certainly still an up in the air situation.

T-minus 28 days until we see the Boston Celtics take to the hardwood once again and embark on their quest for championship number 18.

Prior to the COVID-19 induced hiatus on March 11th, the shamrocks found themselves within the upper-echelon of the league’s teams, and, with a victory on March 10th, they secured their sixth straight postseason appearance.

Boasting a record of 43-21, Boston saw themselves ranked third in the Eastern Conference standings, fifth in the NBA’s standings, and, subsequently, fifth within the league’s power rankings.

With the fact that they were constantly rolling out one of the league’s most talented core groups of ballers in All-Stars Kemba Walker and Jayson Tatum, arguable All-Star snub Jaylen Brown, former All-Star Gordon Hayward, and Swiss Army man Marcus Smart, it’s easy to see why the Cs were able to find so much success in 2019-20.

Now, as the season heads towards their July 30th resumption date, the Celtics, as well as the other 21 teams invited to the Disney World bubble, will have their sights set on one thing: an NBA championship.

As mentioned, Boston has been guaranteed a playoff spot for about four months now, so, unlike some teams heading to the bubble, their participation within the postseason will not be in question.

What is in question for the Celtics, however, is who might be their first-round opponent. With the fact that there will be eight seeding games prior to the start of the playoffs, there is no guarantee as to who they might be squaring off against.

At this point, we can only play the guessing game as to which team will play Beantown in the first-round.

Today, we present to you a list of five potential quarterfinals opponents for the Boston Celtics, ranking each matchup from hardest to easiest: