Boston Celtics: Hornets, Pacers, Wizards – Who should Cs want to face?

Why the Boston Celtics should want to face Charlotte

The Hornets, at full strength, are the strongest entry in the postseason play-in tournament field. Unfortunately for Charlotte, that is not currently where the Queen City is health-wise.

Their prized offseason acquisition, Gordon Hayward, has been dealing with an ailment and could potentially be unavailable in the play-in tournament. His injury history drove a wench between the Butler product and the Cs, and his injury misfortunes have reared their ugly heads once more.

With Hayward out, and Miles Bridges dealing with the NBA’s Health and Safety Protocol, the Cs may be able to pick the bones of a similarly snake-bitten squad in the #7-#8 matchup.

Why the Boston Celtics shouldn’t want to face Charlotte

It would be a major blow to the collective morale of the locker-room to be put down by Terry Rozier and LaMelo Ball in the postseason play-in tournament.

The former Celtic and rookie breakout have been a highly effective backcourt, and could give fits to Kemba Walker, who was acquired in the sign-and-trade that landed Rozier in Charlotte to begin with.

To see the Hornets franchise vindicated of the criticism to give Rozier so much at the expense of passing up on Walker would have Boston down bad heading into a season-saving matchup for the #8 seed in the second play-in game.