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

No. 2) Indiana Pacers

Their placement within this list is highly contingent on whether or not franchise player Victor Oladipo opts into playing for the Indiana Pacers in Disney. Should he arrive in Orlando, we believe there’s an argument to be had in which they replace the Orlando Magic for third place in these power rankings.

However, with the way updates are being reported, things aren’t looking too bright for Indiana.

As recently reported by ESPN’s Eric Woodyard:

"Initially hesitant to commit right away while evaluating the risk of reinjuring his quadriceps tendon, Oladipo told reporters that his decision remains unclear… “Nah, I haven’t made a decision just yet. Just taking it one day at a time,” Oladipo said. “I feel like when the day comes, I’ll know. I appreciate my teammates and this organization for backing me and supporting me with whatever decision I make, but at the same time, I’m focused on me getting as strong as possible and getting where I’m at. “Like I said, I’m taking it one day at a time and hopefully I can make a decision soon. We’ll see.”"

After being sidelined for more than a full calendar year due to a ruptured quadriceps tendon last season, the two-time All-Star made his way back to the hardwood this past January and, slowly but surely, re-acclimated himself to the NBA game.

Though starting off slow throughout the first seven games of his return (11.1 points, 2.9 assists, two rebounds on 33 percent shooting from the field and 24 percent shooting from deep), as time went on, and he became more comfortable with the flow of things, we started to see the pre-injury Oladipo making his way back to the forefront (16.8 points, 3.2 assists, 4.5 rebounds on 46 percent shooting from the floor and 39 percent shooting from deep during the final six games leading up to the hiatus).

Even with him sidelined this year, the Pacers still managed to find themselves well within the playoff picture thanks to the exceptional coaching of Nate McMillan and the stupendous play of their core unit, especially from the likes of first-time All-Star Domantas Sabonis (18.5 points, 12.4 rebounds on 54 percent shooting) and surprise free-agent acquisition Malcolm Brogdon (16.3 points, 7.1 assists on 44 percent shooting from the floor).

Add a healthy Oladipo into the mix and you have a truly menacing team heading into the postseason. However, and I mean this with all due respect, without their star shooting guard, the Indiana Pacers likely would prove to be no real threat to the Boston Celtics come playoff time.