The Celtics are the clear favorites within the East. Which different groups are the largest threats?

Outdoors of maybe a number of delusional 76ers followers, I feel we are able to all agree the Celtics are the definitive favorites within the Jap Convention.

That doesn’t assure a visit to the NBA Finals, in fact, nevertheless it’s abundantly clear at this level that Boston has the most effective odds to characterize the East.

On the identical time, getting there virtually actually gained’t be simple. The East isn’t fairly as loaded because the West, however there are nonetheless loads of groups able to difficult the Celtics. Which of them are reliable threats? Which of them are much less harmful?

Right here’s one opinion, counting them down from least more likely to beat the Celtics to more than likely to beat them (and once more, I don’t suppose anybody within the East is thrashing them this 12 months).

Honorable point out: Chicago Bulls, Brooklyn Nets, Toronto Raptors. None of those groups are doing it. No, not even the Raptors with Kelly Olynyk. Sorry, Kelly.

8) Atlanta Hawks

It’s extremely unlikely the Hawks would beat the Celtics in a seven-game collection, however they’re gifted sufficient to at the least enter the chat.

Having Trae Younger on the roster makes them able to profitable any recreation. It additionally makes them able to dropping any recreation. As a lot of a weapon as Younger is offensively, he’s much more of a legal responsibility defensively. Atlanta wouldn’t be capable of get sufficient stops all through the collection.

7) Orlando Magic

The Magic are on the rise, and so they’ve been the most effective storylines of the season. Orlando has a legitimately wonderful nucleus, and it wouldn’t shock me in the event that they make the Convention Finals throughout the subsequent 5 years.

It gained’t be this 12 months, although. If the Celtics and Magic face off within the first spherical, you may put your worries about Orlando’s four-game, head-to-head profitable streak behind you. The Celtics have realized they’ll’t sleep on the Magic and have gained two straight within the collection with conviction. Orlando would possibly take it to 5 – 6, however there’s not sufficient firepower or expertise there to really beat Boston.

6) Indiana Pacers

The Pacers are explosive, and so they’re not a crew Boston ought to wish to see within the first spherical. Within the second spherical, certain, however not instantly. Not except they wish to get in a observe meet with the occasional kerfuffle.

Tyrese Haliburton’s evolution from rising star to straight up celebrity has been electrical, and he’s emerged as one of the vital entertaining gamers within the league in current months. The Pascal Siakam addition helps, however they’ll miss Buddy Hield and Bruce Brown within the playoffs. Very similar to the Magic, the Pacers would possible give Boston a collection, however the Celtics’ depth, protection and guile can be the distinction.

5) Philadelphia 76ers

Rather a lot is determined by Joel Embiid’s well being right here. If Embiid’s out, the 76ers have a 3.6 p.c likelihood. If he’s in, they’ve a 36.6 p.c likelihood. Embiid has matured sufficient the place he not sees the Celtics in his nightmares, however he hasn’t fairly found out the components, both. Even when he performs like Wilt Chamberlain, the Celtics nonetheless prevail as a rule. He’s 3-12 in opposition to Boston within the playoffs. Plus, Al Horford turns into The Unbelievable Hulk in opposition to Philadelphia, so there’s that.

The principle different man to fret about, in fact, is Tyrese Maxey, who can take over a recreation at any second. Maxey is an issue, and Hield and Tobias Harris complement the celebrities effectively, however there’s no purpose to consider Philly has what it takes in opposition to Boston. The 76ers have improved barely, however the bounce isn’t vital sufficient to imagine something will change.

4) Milwaukee Bucks

It feels bizarre to have the Bucks so low, however the actuality is that this crew is (for the time being) a transparent notch beneath the place it’s been. The Bucks are expert, and Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard is a magical match on paper, however I’m much less afraid of the duo now than I used to be a number of months in the past.

The Celtics have the luxurious of placing Derrick White or Jrue Vacation on Lillard and tiring him out on every finish. Lillard should exert extra power than both of the Celtics guards, which is able to trigger his effectivity to plummet. The Bucks can win any time Antetokounmpo’s on the ground, however one thing simply appears off with their mojo. Additionally, Khris Middleton (when wholesome) hasn’t appeared like himself in fairly a while. Doc Rivers is attempting to determine it out, nevertheless it will not be sufficient. Celtics in 6.

3) Cleveland Cavaliers

The Cavs are an attention-grabbing crew on this complete factor. If that they had overwhelmed the Knicks final 12 months within the playoffs, folks would virtually actually view them in a different way. It wasn’t simply that they misplaced; it was how they misplaced. It wasn’t notably shut. You possibly can ensure that’s on their minds as they make one other run this 12 months.

Donovan Mitchell is likely one of the most under-appreciated gamers within the league. He’s a reliable top-10 participant, and folks act extra like he’s a top-30 participant. Mitchell is averaging 28.3 factors, 6.3 assists, 5.4 rebounds and 1.9 steals as of Wednesday afternoon. That’s fairly dang good.

The Cavs even have six gamers averaging in double figures: Mitchell, Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen, Caris LeVert and Max Strus. Plus, they’ll defend. Outdoors of a setback in opposition to Philly on Tuesday, they have been one of many hottest groups within the league over the previous few weeks. Cleveland matches up effectively in opposition to Boston, however I nonetheless don’t see it occurring.

2) New York Knicks

It’s been precisely 50 years for the reason that Celtics and Knicks met within the Convention Finals. This is likely one of the higher groups New York has had since, and it’s very attainable this might be the 12 months they go face to face as soon as once more. The most important purpose, in fact, is New York’s protection. Tom Thibodeau doesn’t fiddle on that finish, and with this nucleus, he doesn’t should gouge his eyes out each recreation.

Jalen Brunson is a winner, the Bojan Bogdanovic and OG Anunoby pickups fill wants, Donte DiVincenzo has been hooping and Josh Hart is the glue. The X-factor is Julius Randle, and I personally don’t suppose he’ll be constant sufficient to match the Celtics’ star-studded core. New York will compete like loopy each recreation, however Boston is the extra versatile, linked and expert crew.

1) Miami Warmth

Sure, it’s true. Do not give me that look. In the event you made it this far, there’s a great likelihood you actually just like the Celtics. In the event you actually just like the Celtics, you recognize the Warmth are of their heads. You additionally know they desperately wish to get them out of their heads. Miami is presently the 7-seed, and it additionally occurs to be the final crew the Celtics wish to see at any level within the journey. Don’t let the seed idiot you; the Warmth morph right into a pack of piranhas once they see the Celtics.

Now, the flip facet of this, in fact – if the Celtics do face Miami once more, and do prevail, that may make the championship even sweeter. But when they wish to improve their odds of doing so, they’ll keep as far-off from South Seaside as humanly attainable.