Boston Celtics: Who is projected NBA Finals opponent for Cs?

Respect has been put on the Boston Celtics name in Bleacher Report’s updated championship predictions. That said, who are their projected NBA Finals opponents?

While Bleacher Report’s Mandela Namaste didn’t have the Boston Celtics winning the 2020 NBA title and raising banner #18 whenever basketball could be played again at the TD Garden, they were projected to be Eastern Conference champions.

The rise of Jayson Tatum and the somewhat stagnance of Toronto’s two All-Stars Kyle Lowry and Pascal Siakam makes this an “easy pick” according to Namaste. While the series has obviously dramatically shifted since OG Anunoby’s Game 3 buzzer-beater, Boston’s superior talent at the top of their lineup should still push them through to the conference finals.

A true upset is what Namaste has for both the current conference semifinal round through three games and the conference finals. Milwaukee is the projected winner of the Heat-Bucks series, while Boston is his eventual representative from the east.

The rationale for a Celtics victory in the Eastern Conference finals? Momentum. Boston has played some of its best basketball of the season, getting huge performances from every member of “Team Shamrock”, including near-nightly superstar efforts from Tatum.

Most interestingly, though, is who Namaste sees as the NBA Finals foe and eventual champion:

"(2) Los Angeles Clippers over (3) Boston CelticsWith respect to Boston, just because these teams are built similarly doesn’t mean this will be a tight series. The Celtics will steal a game or two when Tatum goes supernova or if Smart has another out-of-nowhere shooting display, but when this Clippers team is locked in, it is devastating enough to give opponents an existential crisis.Even if George disappears against Boston’s high-level defenders, Leonard will likely adjust and seamlessly elevate his play like he so often does."

Simply put, it’s not Boston’s time just yet. But it someday could be, as Namaste alludes to:

"The Celtics will undoubtedly have their moment in the sun. They have the best Big Three in the NBA, two of whom are under 25 years old, and a genius coach in Brad Stevens. But right now, it’s all about this Clippers team, which makes up for a lack of continuity with one of the best-constructed rosters you’ll ever see."

What do you think Celtics fans? Are the Clippers the most likely potential finals foe if Boston makes it that far?

Let us know in the comments section!