2024 NBA Season and Playoffs

[Vermont Green]

I think it is more likely that we don't play Miami or Philly than it is that we do.

OK, well I don't agree, but we are both just guessing.  In order for it not to be MIA or PHI, IND would have to drop back, lose one game and maybe another, or ATL or CHI would need to beat MIA or PHI, all possibilities.  Most likely though, for it to not be MIA or PHI, one or the other would need to lose two games.

If Miami beats Indiana in a few days, they will move to 6. I think they win that game and do just that.  They have the same amount of losses right now, it isn't like Miami has to pick up ground.  That moves Miami to 6 and I'd expect Philly to beat Indy in the play in.

That would be fine with me.  MIA at 6, PHI at 7, and IND (or whoever) at 8.  ORL and NYK at 4 & 5.  Would be a nice "bracket" for the Celtics.

Although honestly, I am not sure that IND would be any easier to beat than MIA.  I see them as approximately equally difficult to beat.

[Celtics2021]

Steve Clifford announced today that he is stepping down at the end of the season.  That is now the third coach to have been fired or announced a resignation after having played the Celtics in the last two seasons (Doc Rivers in Philly after the playoffs and Jacque Vaughn in Brooklyn before the All-Star break).

[Goldstar88]

I would like to see it:

Boston v Pacers/Bulls
Bucks v Sixers
Orlando v Heat
Cavs v Knicks

Agreed. That would be ideal.

[Vermont Green]

I would like to see it:

Boston v Pacers/Bulls
Bucks v Sixers
Orlando v Heat
Cavs v Knicks

Agreed. That would be ideal.

So ORL ends up #3, CLE #4, and NYK #5?.  You prefer that CLE and NYK are in the Celtics "bracket" over ORL?  A lot depends on health for NKY and to some degree CLE but I feel both those teams when healthy are better than ORL.

Splitting hairs I guess.

[celticinorlando]

I would like to see it:

Boston v Pacers/Bulls
Bucks v Sixers
Orlando v Heat
Cavs v Knicks

Agreed. That would be ideal.

So ORL ends up #3, CLE #4, and NYK #5?.  You prefer that CLE and NYK are in the Celtics "bracket" over ORL?  A lot depends on health for NKY and to some degree CLE but I feel both those teams when healthy are better than ORL.

Splitting hairs I guess.

I don't think the Knicks are going to be healthy and the Cavs just feel like an easier match up for Boston. Orlando could be boom or bust but their boom is scary.

[Vermont Green]

CLE has had a lot of missed games for their top players.  Mitchell has only played 51 games.  Garland only 52.  Mobley only 44 games.  I believe they play tonight and expect to have a full team but they have missed a lot of games, like NYK.

It is looking less and less likely that Randle will be back and I don't know about Anunoby so if that is the case, then yes, NYK is very much diminished.  But I think CLE is going to be healthy and I would much prefer to play ORL over CLE.  CLE has only had their 5 starters for 24 games all season.  I am not sure NYK has ever had their projected starters together with Anunoby going down almost immediately after he was traded.

[Goldstar88]

CLE has had a lot of missed games for their top players.  Mitchell has only played 51 games.  Garland only 52.  Mobley only 44 games.  I believe they play tonight and expect to have a full team but they have missed a lot of games, like NYK.

It is looking less and less likely that Randle will be back and I don't know about Anunoby so if that is the case, then yes, NYK is very much diminished.  But I think CLE is going to be healthy and I would much prefer to play ORL over CLE.  CLE has only had their 5 starters for 24 games all season.  I am not sure NYK has ever had their projected starters together with Anunoby going down almost immediately after he was traded.

I just think the C’s would have a significant advantage at the guard position vs the Cavs. Mitchell is (generously) listed at 6’3” and Garland is 6’1”. Small guards typically don’t fair well in the postseason. Those are there two best players, too. Favorable matchup for the C’s, IMO.

[Moranis]

CLE has had a lot of missed games for their top players.  Mitchell has only played 51 games.  Garland only 52.  Mobley only 44 games.  I believe they play tonight and expect to have a full team but they have missed a lot of games, like NYK.

It is looking less and less likely that Randle will be back and I don't know about Anunoby so if that is the case, then yes, NYK is very much diminished.  But I think CLE is going to be healthy and I would much prefer to play ORL over CLE.  CLE has only had their 5 starters for 24 games all season.  I am not sure NYK has ever had their projected starters together with Anunoby going down almost immediately after he was traded.

I just think the C’s would have a significant advantage at the guard position vs the Cavs. Mitchell is (generously) listed at 6’3” and Garland is 6’1”. Small guards typically don’t fair well in the postseason. Those are there two best players, too. Favorable matchup for the C’s, IMO.

Boston should not struggle with any of those 3 teams.  I would rate them as NY, CLE, ORL for the C's.  NY plays tough, so even though I think Boston wins and should win quickly, the games will be tough hard games and those are sometimes worse than a longer series against a softer team.  The Cavs are pretty deep and have length down low, but they lack top end talent.  The Magic are just very young and I don't think they are really ready for the grind of a deep post season run.  In a few seasons, they might very well be the best team in the East though.  They just aren't anywhere close to that level yet.

[Goldstar88]

CLE has had a lot of missed games for their top players.  Mitchell has only played 51 games.  Garland only 52.  Mobley only 44 games.  I believe they play tonight and expect to have a full team but they have missed a lot of games, like NYK.

It is looking less and less likely that Randle will be back and I don't know about Anunoby so if that is the case, then yes, NYK is very much diminished.  But I think CLE is going to be healthy and I would much prefer to play ORL over CLE.  CLE has only had their 5 starters for 24 games all season.  I am not sure NYK has ever had their projected starters together with Anunoby going down almost immediately after he was traded.

I just think the C’s would have a significant advantage at the guard position vs the Cavs. Mitchell is (generously) listed at 6’3” and Garland is 6’1”. Small guards typically don’t fair well in the postseason. Those are there two best players, too. Favorable matchup for the C’s, IMO.

Boston should not struggle with any of those 3 teams.  I would rate them as NY, CLE, ORL for the C's.  NY plays tough, so even though I think Boston wins and should win quickly, the games will be tough hard games and those are sometimes worse than a longer series against a softer team.  The Cavs are pretty deep and have length down low, but they lack top end talent.  The Magic are just very young and I don't think they are really ready for the grind of a deep post season run.  In a few seasons, they might very well be the best team in the East though.  They just aren't anywhere close to that level yet.

Orlando seems to play a physical brand of basketball and they have good size, too. I agree that they could be a top team in the East in a few years. Have a lot of young talent. I view the Cavs as more of a finesse team.

What are your thoughts on Miami? Do you expect them to flip the switch once the playoffs start like last year.

[celticsclay]

Man pacers could very well be collapsing very surprised they are losing to the nets who are like 3-9 over last 12 with wins over Washington and Toronto pacers blew them out a few days ago.

[Moranis]

CLE has had a lot of missed games for their top players.  Mitchell has only played 51 games.  Garland only 52.  Mobley only 44 games.  I believe they play tonight and expect to have a full team but they have missed a lot of games, like NYK.

It is looking less and less likely that Randle will be back and I don't know about Anunoby so if that is the case, then yes, NYK is very much diminished.  But I think CLE is going to be healthy and I would much prefer to play ORL over CLE.  CLE has only had their 5 starters for 24 games all season.  I am not sure NYK has ever had their projected starters together with Anunoby going down almost immediately after he was traded.

I just think the C’s would have a significant advantage at the guard position vs the Cavs. Mitchell is (generously) listed at 6’3” and Garland is 6’1”. Small guards typically don’t fair well in the postseason. Those are there two best players, too. Favorable matchup for the C’s, IMO.

Boston should not struggle with any of those 3 teams.  I would rate them as NY, CLE, ORL for the C's.  NY plays tough, so even though I think Boston wins and should win quickly, the games will be tough hard games and those are sometimes worse than a longer series against a softer team.  The Cavs are pretty deep and have length down low, but they lack top end talent.  The Magic are just very young and I don't think they are really ready for the grind of a deep post season run.  In a few seasons, they might very well be the best team in the East though.  They just aren't anywhere close to that level yet.

Orlando seems to play a physical brand of basketball and they have good size, too. I agree that they could be a top team in the East in a few years. Have a lot of young talent. I view the Cavs as more of a finesse team.

What are your thoughts on Miami? Do you expect them to flip the switch once the playoffs start like last year.

The Heat will also play tough physical ball, but I just don't trust them to win a series this year.  They rely so much on Butler and he is simply getting old.  I just don't think he can be the guy the 4 or 5 games he needs to be against the C's.  I'd rather avoid Miami just because they are so physical, but I'd actually expect Boston to win a series against them in 5 games.  Boston is just so much more talented than the Heat across the board and the Heat don't have the depth they had last year.

[celticsclay]

CLE has had a lot of missed games for their top players.  Mitchell has only played 51 games.  Garland only 52.  Mobley only 44 games.  I believe they play tonight and expect to have a full team but they have missed a lot of games, like NYK.

It is looking less and less likely that Randle will be back and I don't know about Anunoby so if that is the case, then yes, NYK is very much diminished.  But I think CLE is going to be healthy and I would much prefer to play ORL over CLE.  CLE has only had their 5 starters for 24 games all season.  I am not sure NYK has ever had their projected starters together with Anunoby going down almost immediately after he was traded.

I just think the C’s would have a significant advantage at the guard position vs the Cavs. Mitchell is (generously) listed at 6’3” and Garland is 6’1”. Small guards typically don’t fair well in the postseason. Those are there two best players, too. Favorable matchup for the C’s, IMO.

Boston should not struggle with any of those 3 teams.  I would rate them as NY, CLE, ORL for the C's.  NY plays tough, so even though I think Boston wins and should win quickly, the games will be tough hard games and those are sometimes worse than a longer series against a softer team.  The Cavs are pretty deep and have length down low, but they lack top end talent.  The Magic are just very young and I don't think they are really ready for the grind of a deep post season run.  In a few seasons, they might very well be the best team in the East though.  They just aren't anywhere close to that level yet.

Orlando seems to play a physical brand of basketball and they have good size, too. I agree that they could be a top team in the East in a few years. Have a lot of young talent. I view the Cavs as more of a finesse team.

What are your thoughts on Miami? Do you expect them to flip the switch once the playoffs start like last year.

The Heat will also play tough physical ball, but I just don't trust them to win a series this year.  They rely so much on Butler and he is simply getting old.  I just don't think he can be the guy the 4 or 5 games he needs to be against the C's.  I'd rather avoid Miami just because they are so physical, but I'd actually expect Boston to win a series against them in 5 games.  Boston is just so much more talented than the Heat across the board and the Heat don't have the depth they had last year.

I agree Vincent, Strauss and Lowry were good depth pieces. Jaquez, rozier and jovic are a downgrade from that who are getting rotation minutes. Love has also gotten worse along with a slight decline from butler.

[radiohead]

https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1775536098627702906

Not Charles Lee please.

[CelticSooner]

C's and Pacers first round matchup???

[jpotter33]

C's and Pacers first round matchup???

Yikes. Terrible loss for Indy with Miami and a healthy Philly right on their tails.

Though I won't complain. Not only is that the easiest first round matchup for us, but that matchup would also allow me to go to one of the playoff games for once.