Apparently it is a trend with the Cs. If you go and check other team fans, no one believes in the Cs, mostly think the Cs will get out in the first round.
That reminds me when my wife and I decided to watch nba again in 2007. My wife was a Kobe fan and ask me to watch Lakers game. While watching them in the playoff I was bored to death. I decided to check other games and was suddenly very interested by this Boston team. The team execution, and most importantly the fighting spirit, the grit, the pride of the jersey. I could feel everything, it was overwhelming. I ask my wife to watch Boston with me and she get caught by the same feeling as well. She became an instant PP fan, she's still talking about him now even though she's not watching nba anymore.
When Boston and LA were in the finales, my wife wanted Boston to win, she was a big fan of the team already.
I remember during that time, most of the people had the Lakers winning vs Boston. I was shocked. I was telling myself "what am I missing?" Turn out they were wrong, Boston was a far superior team defense and they won rather easily their series.
Long story short, I don't pretend a similarity between 2007 and 2017 playoff. But one thing for sure. This Boston team is 1st in the east. This is not by luck or health roster issue (we had our share as well). I'm not pretending Boston is favorite in the east, but they should be feared (nobody realize how good they are with a 100% AB on both end).
Right now, they aren't feared at all.
For that reason, I predict a Boston vs Toronto ECF.