All things being equal, the Boston Celtics should still be able to beat any other team in the Eastern Conference and return to the NBA Finals.

But all things are not equal at the moment. The Celtics are doing just fine, sitting pretty with a chance to close out the Atlanta Hawks (albeit one game too late) on Tuesday night in Game 5. Atlanta will have to fight for its playoff life without Dejounte Murray, their second-leading scorer in the series with 25.3 points per game so far.

But even once the C’s move on, their path going forward appears to be opening up for them in significant ways, as well.

• Let’s start with the Milwaukee Bucks, who got the worst news possible early in their series against the Miami Heat when Giannis Antetokounmpo had to miss multiple games with a back contusion. Antetokounmpo returned for Game 4 after the Bucks went down 2-1, but the Heat just kept on winning.

  Now, the Bucks are on the brink of elimination, down 3-1 to the Heat after Jimmy Butler dropped 56 points on them in Game 4. If the Heat take care of business and move on, that will leave the Celtics with the best remaining record and home court advantage for the rest of the playoffs.

  The Heat will take on either the Cleveland Cavaliers or New York Knicks, but thanks to the NBA playoff format, the Celtics already know they would only have to play one of those three teams.

• 

  MIAMI, FLORIDA – APRIL 24: Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat reacts during the fourth quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks in Game Four of the Eastern Conference First Round Playoffs at Kaseya Center on April 24, 2023 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)

• Because the NBA uses a fixed bracket system in the playoffs, the Celtics will play the winner of the series between the Philadelphia 76ers and Brooklyn Nets. Philly has already moved on after sweeping Brooklyn and awaits the Celtics’ final nail in the Hawks’ coffin.

  But, the Sixers didn’t escape the first round unscathed. They’ve got a superstar injury of their own to deal with. Joel Embiid is dealing with a sprained LCL in his right knee, according to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne.

  There’s hope that Embiid will be able to play Game 1 of the second round, which is projected to start Sunday, but it’s fair to wonder how Embiid will look playing through such an injury.

• 

  Apr 20, 2023; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) grimaces during game three of the 2023 NBA playoffs against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports

• This is nothing short of huge news for the Celtics. Who, by the way, have one of the game’s most durable stars in Jayson Tatum, and another star in Jaylen Brown who has not only played through a hand laceration and facial fracture but playing really well in the process.

  Even with all teams fully healthy, the Celtics should be considered the deepest, most talented team in the east. But their potential opponents are starting to fall apart around them, on top of that. There has rarely been a clearer path for them to the NBA Finals.

• Click here for complete Boston Celtics coverage at 985TheSportsHub.com.

  Matt Dolloff is a writer and podcaster for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Yell at him on Twitter @mattdolloff and follow him on Instagram @realmattdolloff. Check out all of Matt’s content here.

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