The NBA season is winding down and with that the first round of the playoffs are on the horizon for the Boston Celtics. Who that first round opponent will be is still to be determined but the picture is becoming clearer. So let’s take a look at who some of those potential matchups could be.
Boston has been coasting this season dominating in the regular season with a league best 60-16 record. The Celtics have already locked up the #1 seed in the entire NBA with their win over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday night at the Garden.
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – NOVEMBER 10: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics looks on during the second half of their In-Season Tournament game at TD Garden on November 10, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Celtics defeat the Nets 121-107. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Most Likely: Philadelphia 76ers
Right now for the Boston Celtics the Philadelphia 76ers are mathematically their most likely first round opponent. Celtics fans may see this matchup and see it as a good thing as they have dominated the 76ers in the playoffs in recent years. However with last seasons MVP Joel Embiid returning from injury and new 76ers head coach Nick Nurse at the helm this 76ers team may be a tougher out than in years past.
Embiid hasn’t played in a long time and will have limited minutes of regular season basketball under his belt heading into the playoffs but could this actually be a benefit to the 76ers. Getting a rested Joel Embiid could be a massive difference maker for a team that’s desperate to get a playoff series win against the Celtics. Nick Nurse is another key piece of why I wouldn’t be thrilled if the Celtics draw the 76ers in the first round.
Nurse is one of the better coaches in the league and being able to strategize for a Celtics team over a potential 7 game series should give any fan some slight pause. No matter who the Celtics first round opponent is they have no excuses to not make it out of the first round but Philadelphia poses a much tougher test than your normal 8 seed matchup.
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – MAY 19: Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra speaks with Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat against the Boston Celtics during the first quarter in game two of the Eastern Conference Finals at TD Garden on May 19, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
Less likely: Miami Heat
For Celtics fans that are still scarred from years past this is probably the matchup you’d least like to see. The Miami Heat have given the Celtics fits the last few years in the playoffs led by Jimmy Butler and Eric Spoelstra.
Butler’s fierce determination in the playoffs and Spoelstra’s elaborate game plans have proven trouble for Boston the past few years but with Boston’s loaded roster this season the hope is things will be different this time around.
Brad Stevens upgraded Boston’s roster over the offseason with the additions of Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday, these moves have vaulted the Celtics into the top spot in the NBA and with that came the hopes of an easier road to the finals. However as you can gather from this piece Boston may be facing a much tougher opponent than #1 seeds in years past.
Nov 26, 2023; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) shares a laugh with Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young (11) after their game at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
Not as likely but possible: Chicago Bulls and Atlanta Hawks
Sitting in the play-in spots right now are the Chicago Bulls and the Atlanta Hawks, one team who’s really given the Celtics fits this season. Now it’s less likely Boston would get one of these two teams in the first round it’s not out of the realm of possibility.
Chicago Bulls
From a Celtics perspective I think this would easily be their easiest first round matchup and the one they’d prefer. Chicago is the weakest roster of any potential playoff team with very little depth, something the Celtics could easily expose. While Chicago does have DeRozan who has killed the Celtics in his career he’s just a little too old to take over a series against this loaded roster.
Nov 26, 2023; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) shoots over Atlanta Hawks forward De’Andre Hunter (12) during the second half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
Atlanta Hawks:
Another unlikely matchup but one the Celtics would probably want to avoid with their recent track record is the Atlanta Hawks. Atlanta has been without Trae Young in their last two matchups against Boston and won both of them ending Boston’s 9 game win streak at the end of March. While I still believe the Celtics could easily handle Atlanta in a playoff series it’s still another first round matchup that could extend longer than Boston wants on it’s expected deep run.
For me it’s still the Heat and the 76ers you’d least like to see as a Celtics fans but there’s no excuses for this years team as anything other than a trip to the finals would be a failure for this group.
