Playoff Picture

[CroCorvus]

For me, there are only three teams that could cause us trouble come Playoff. First is of course Clevelend and they will be Eastern Conference Champions if they stay healthy. After them there is the Bulls and the Pistons. I wan't go into seeding, but if somehow we get to paly this two teams, I think they would cause us troubles. I'm not worried about other teams it the East.

Toronto doesn't make you nervous?

No. They are a good team but they don't scare me. Take us and them all healthy and I think we got them in six. They remind me of last year's Hawks - not in a style of play but playing waay better then they are. Once again, when the pressure comes, they will shrink.

Toronto should worry you.

The top 7 guys on that team are under 30 and quite a few of them (DeRozan, Val, Joseph) are just reaching their peak. They're better than they were last year. They're on pace for about 55 wins. The Cs are currently 0-2 against them this year. Could they fold in the playoffs again like they did against Washington last year? Sure. But I'm betting that this team being a bit older and wiser will not be an easy out in the playoffs.

As far as other playoff teams that scare me...well, they all do. Anything can happen. But I do know that whomever the Cs play will be in for a hell of a dogfight because this team doesn't quit!!!

Of course they are good team. Above average good this season. But they aren't a team that scares you. I can bet with you that one of Lowry or Derozan will vanish during the playoffs... They gonna win 55 games? So what, las year ATL won 60 and something and they did what? If Wall doesn't get hurt they get tossed in the second round. I we ware at the 8th spot last year we would take them to 6 or 7 games. I'm telling you man, that Toronto team is nothing special. They are good this year but this is nothing special. The coaching is also suspicious. The Cavs would beat them in four games. So no, they don't scare me at all.
The Bulls have experience and personnel to challenge the Cavs if healthy, so I think when playoffs come they will be different animal.
And the reason I have mentioned the Pistons is they have good coach, they have young and quality players, unorthodox style of play and it seems that in the last few seasons we always have trouble beating them. If somehow we get to play these guys, I think it would be a lot like that Bulls series in '10.

[celticmania]

It is very important to stay at the 3rd seed if our goal is to get to the ECF. Much easier to beat the Raptors than the Cavs

[Celtics18]

I think Avery said it the best.
https://youtu.be/-jREyZnwg4g
[/quote

TP.  Thanks for that reminder of what a cool guy Avery Bradley is.

[SparzWizard]

You're misreading how their playoff picture works.  We'd have the Raptors or Hornets in round 2.

okay, but it turns out the same. toronto is no team to be afraid of either, especially in a 7 game series, where they got kicked out by WAS and NETS.

Basically, Paul Pierce smoked the Raptors lol. But there's no Paul Pierce this year so I think Raptors advance to Round 2.

[makaveli]

You're misreading how their playoff picture works.  We'd have the Raptors or Hornets in round 2.

okay, but it turns out the same. toronto is no team to be afraid of either, especially in a 7 game series, where they got kicked out by WAS and NETS.

Basically, Paul Pierce smoked the Raptors lol. But there's no Paul Pierce this year so I think Raptors advance to Round 2.

i think that is the general consensus around toronto area
paul seriously crushed them two years in a row.

[Granath]

You're misreading how their playoff picture works.  We'd have the Raptors or Hornets in round 2.

okay, but it turns out the same. toronto is no team to be afraid of either, especially in a 7 game series, where they got kicked out by WAS and NETS.

Basically, Paul Pierce smoked the Raptors lol. But there's no Paul Pierce this year so I think Raptors advance to Round 2.

Losing to the Nets two years ago wasn't an embarrassment. That team had PP, KG, etc.

Losing to the Wiz last year was an embarrassment. Toronto couldn't hit a shot (41%, 30% from 3 point land) and the Wiz got red hot (48%, 44% from 3). They couldn't rebound or really do anything right. They just laid an egg but that happens with young teams in the playoffs.

This years' team is wiser and Biyombo makes a big difference for them in the middle of the court coming off the bench. It's simple maturity and I expect them to be a far tougher out in the playoffs this year.

Remember that the Cs got swept last year as well. Young teams have to learn how to win. We're seeing the current Cs squad get better at that as the year goes on. Toronto went through the same learning curve and I think they're far more comfortable now.

[greece66]

For me, there are only three teams that could cause us trouble come Playoff. First is of course Clevelend and they will be Eastern Conference Champions if they stay healthy. After them there is the Bulls and the Pistons. I wan't go into seeding, but if somehow we get to paly this two teams, I think they would cause us troubles. I'm not worried about other teams it the East.

Pistons made some great additions, and they will be a fantastic team next season. But it will take them some time to figure out their rotations again. I feel p confident against them.