The Boston Celtics’ two worst-case scenarios for the first round of the playoffs

The Boston Celtics’ two worst-case scenarios for the first round of the playoffs.

I recently wrote about the Boston Celtics’ best-case scenarios for their first-round playoff matches.

Obviously, the worst possible matchups for the Cs had to come after that.

The Celtics would prefer not to play the Chicago Bulls, Atlanta Hawks, or Orlando Magic in the first round of the playoffs because those three teams made the list of the best matchups.

The Boston Celtics’ two worst-case scenarios for the first round of the playoffs.

The Indiana Pacers

In the NBA’s In-Season Tournament’s Eastern Conference Quarterfinals, the Boston Celtics and Indiana Pacers squared off. The Celtics lost 122-112 in a game that gave a great impression of a postseason atmosphere. If the season ended today, the Pacers, who now sit eighth in the Eastern Conference, would have to go through the Play-In round.

The Pacers are the highest scoring club in the NBA thanks to their incredible offensive performance this season. They now have even more offensive strength on the ball thanks to the signing of Pascal Siakam. Tyrese Haliburton, who can harm a squad in a variety of ways, has also made significant progress for them this season.

The Pacers struggle most on defense. They allow the fourth most offensive rebounds per game and have the fifth poorest defensive rating in the league. This game is frightening for the Celtics because if their three-pointers aren’t dropping, they run the chance of trailing a Pacers club that can score baskets fast.

Miami Heat

Although they are currently outside of the Play-In bubble, the Miami Heat might yet enter it and finish as the eighth seed. The Celtics, or any other NBA team, clearly does not want to face this team in the postseason. After the regular season concludes, something about their team transforms, and they become a far better version of themselves.

The Celtics were defeated 3-0 in the Eastern Conference Finals the previous season. In game seven, they came close to pulling off the incredible 3-0 comeback, but ultimately failed. How on earth did they lose 3-0 to begin with? The Heat, after all, did what they do best.

They rode their sudden surge of popularity all the way to the NBA Finals. Although it sounds improbable, you never know. Caleb Martin might end up averaging close to 20 points in a series against the Cs. The Celtics simply turned it on at the appropriate time and can do so again; it’s not like they assumed their matchup with the Heat would be simple last year.