Raptors a real threat from the east?

[Tr1boy]

Can they beat the Cavs right now in  a playoff series?

How do the Celts stack up?

[BudweiserCeltic]

Sure.

[Denis998]

The celtics have a good chance to beat the Cavs.

[bdm860]

Well now that Paul Pierce has gone West, you gotta like their chances.

The only thing that can stop them now is the Clippers in the Finals.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXle8aRPFkg

[SHAQATTACK]

Raptors are the best chance east team to unthrone LeBron in the EAST.

Wizards ,Hawks , Bulls are very beatable all over rated....Celtics play well against Heat.too

Tuff out for Celtics seem to be Pacers who I believe are over looked.

I think the Celtics given a fair shake with refs , can win a game or two against the Cavs as well.

Celtics lack a couple players from taking a series from LeBron.


I have Cavs 1 , Raptors 2 ,  Celtics ,Pacers and Heat tied for the next three spots

[Tr1boy]

The celtics have a good chance to beat the Cavs.

But we never can

Lebron is annoying that way. Oh crap we are losing

Oh Celtics?? Time to play for real

[Tr1boy]

Raptors are the best chance east team to unthrone LeBron in the EAST.

Wizards ,Hawks , Bulls are very beatable all over rated....Celtics play well against Heat.too

Tuff out for Celtics seem to be Pacers who I believe are over looked.

I think the Celtics given a fair shake with refs , can win a game or two against the Cavs as well.

Celtics lack a couple players from taking a series from LeBron.


I have Cavs 1 , Raptors 2 ,  Celtics ,Pacers and Heat tied for the next three spots

I agree

Cavs are just "whatever" right now.  Lebron just doesn't care

But once the playoffs come around they will play alot better

[Who]

No. I don't think the Raptors can beat the Cavs. They are still one move away from being a top side in the league. A quality starting PF is badly needed. Still too flawed to beat a top team like the Cavs.

The Celtics can give the Raptors a run for their money. I'd say Raps are slight favourites in a series but by no means an insurmountable challenge. In terms of matchups:

1) Valanciunas will cause problems at center.
2) I think the Raptors size on the wings (DeRozan, Carroll) can cause Celtics some problems because they cannot switch Isaiah onto the SG and have Bradley or Smart defend Lowry.
3) Once one of those Raps wings rest though, then Boston has an advantage against Raps bench wings. Easy to hide Isaiah on those guys (T.Ross) and give Lowry a different look. Boston has advantage with Bradley or Turner against T.Ross.
4) Scola is a liability. An opportunity to gain advantage. I think Amir is the wrong player to start against Scola. Not enough of an offensive weapon. Big opportunity for Olynyk here. Need a strong series from Olynyk.
5) Raps bench bigs. Patterson talented but struggling. Good news for Boston if that continues. Biyombo a good interior defender and rebounder but Boston have perimeter bigs who can pull him out of the paint and create an advantage. So two advantageous opportunities there.
6) Corey Joseph is pretty good at backup guard. I'd love to have Isaiah go at him rather than Smart. I think Isaiah would cause their 2nd unit a lot of problems. Smart and Joseph both defensive guards. Smart playing too poorly on offense to give him clear advantage here but hopefully that changes as season goes on.

In summary, Raps starting unit has advantage over Celtics starting unit but Celtics bench has advantage there.