Which team do we not want to face off in the first round of playoff?

[Stig]

It looks like we'll end up as 2-4 seed,
5-7 is pretty random like last year, which team create a match up problem for us?

Hawks,
Pacers,
Wizards,
Bucks,
Bulls,
Hornets

I think it's the Bucks, some say Kris Middleton will return this season, will we struggle with their length? The hawks is worse than last year, we should be able to take care of them with home court advantage, healthy AB, and inside knowledge of Horford.
 

[trickybilly]

Yeah, agreed Bucks. They are starting to figure it all out.

Another team who if you were offered a full roster swap right now, and you could add further pieces? I'd think about it.

[bopna]

I want the Cavs to face the Bucks. This will make em work real hard in the first round.

I think whichever team we face the Cs should take care of business specially with homecourt adv. IT should prove something that to be able to be the star in this league he needs to lead this team out of the 1st round atleast and go from there. Health will be a key factor so if this team has no injuries then I like our chances in the 1st and second round.

[Rhyso]

I wouldn't want to face the Bulls. Despite their struggles so far, Lopez and Gibson would destroy us on the glass, and Butler, a healthy Wade and maybe playoff Rondo if he stays, would give them the edge in top talent. Also I still think these 3's won't fall for us when the playoffs start and it could be a first round exit again if we can't get into the paint.

[HomerSapien]

The team I'd most want to face is Charlotte. I like how we match up with them, and I think we'd win in 5 games.

[hodgy03038]

The team I'd most want to face is Charlotte. I like how we match up with them, and I think we'd win in 5 games.

I remember last year when we were playing them at home for an improved seed and we got killed at home in a "must win" game. I would like to play them to erase that bad memory but also know they are a very good opponent. I have to agree I would not want to face Milwaukee in round 1 and possibly Chicago.

[CelticGuardian]

Whoever it is, we better not lose to them. If we do lose then Jae Crowder won't have the right to pout cuz we'll know it's time to blow it up. I am already tired of seeing them get eliminated.

[Celtics18]

Don't want the Bucks or the Hawks.  I'd prefer the Bulls or the Hornets in the first round.

[TheSundanceKid]

It might just be me but I feel like we'd dispatch the Bucks pretty easily. Their lack of shooting wold play into our hands massively I would have thought. Middleton isn't enough to carry them in that regard.

I would like to avoid the Pistons because I think they are dangerous when they start shooting well.

I'd love to face the Wiz or the Bulls, I think both those series could be 4-0

[Donoghus]

Would rather not have to deal with Paul George in the first round.

[fantankerous]

The Bucks and Wizards.  The Wizards have a really good starting five and their lack of depth won't be as much of a problem in the playoffs.

[Tr1boy]

Cavs, raptors

[bdm860]

Who has the best frontline/rebounders?

Hawks have Howard/Milsap and are one of the better rebounding teams.  And if Detroit can gain some ground, well Drummond is averaging 17rpg against the C's this year.  So it would be nice not to deal with either of them.

IND, MIL. CHA, WAS all have bigs the C's can handle, but I'm always worried about a superstar going off, especially at a position the C's don't match up well with.  I love you Crowder but George and Giannis have like 4-5 inches on you... So I wouldn't mind avoiding IND and MIL either.

I have no fears with CHI, WAS, or CHA though, give me one of them.  To be clear, I like to think the C's should be able to beat anybody in the East outside of CLE and TOR, but I just think those are the best for the C's matchup wise, with the least chance for an upset.


So to answer the question, who don't I want the C's to face in the first round:

Cavs
.
.
Raptors
.
.
.
.
MIL, IND, ATL, DET

[apc]

How about a survey options?

[saltlover]

The Bucks and Wizards.  The Wizards have a really good starting five and their lack of depth won't be as much of a problem in the playoffs.

The Wizards have 4/5 of a good starting 5 (Morris does not qualify).  And they have no bench, at all.  You can't play Wall and Beal 48 minutes every night, and their bench guards regularly go -8 in 10 minutes.  The Wizards have about two effective lineups -- their four good starters and then Morris or Oubre.  If you think Stevens won't figure out how to exploit that in a myriad of ways throughout a multi-game series with multiple days to prepare between games, you're not giving him enough credit.  And if you think Scott Brooks will figure out solutions, you're giving him too much credit.

I frankly don't think the Wizards even make the playoffs, but I'd love to go against them.  Teams might shorten their rotation from 9-11 in the regular season to 8-9 in the playoffs, but Washington struggles when they have to use more than 6 players in a game.

Not to mention the pure exhaustion that team will experience by April.  Gortat is 32, and he's on pace to play almost 3000 minutes this season.  Wall is looking at close to 2900.  Beal is on pace for a new career high at over 2500.  Porter is on pace for almost 2800, and about a 500 minute increase from last year's career high.  And Morris is currently heading for 2500, which would be the second-most for him, and well above most other seasons.  And as they have no bench, they can't afford to give these guys any rest during the season, as doing so will certainly cost them the chance at the playoffs.  And with virtually no trade assets and a bunch of long-term contracts, trade deadline help is unlikely to arrive.

Bring on the Wizards!