The Celtics Are Projected To Be Part Of The Two Biggest Series Draws In The 2023 NBA Playoffs

The Boston Celtics may have stumbled a bit in reaching the finish line of the 2022-23 NBA season, but that doesn’t mean there’s a lack of buzz about the team heading into the postseason. In a recent article by Dan Faveley of Bleacher Report, in which he ranks the anticipated playoff matchups, Boston figures prominently in not one but two of the most anticipated postseason pairings.

Teams set to battle it out in the 2023 NBA playoffs include familiar names like the Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Clippers, Phoenix Suns and Memphis Grizzlies, as well as some surprising names like the Minnesota Timberwolves and New York Knicks . ,

But let’s see what Favele had to say about the series, which he believes will attract the most attention after the Boston season.

No. 4. Boston Celtics vs. Philadelphia 76ers

February 25, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) is defended by Boston Celtics center Al Horford (42) during the second quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

“I’m not sure how much the entertaining conclusion to the February 25 meeting between the Boston Celtics and the Philadelphia 76ers affected this ranking,” Faveley writes. Let’s just round up on “a lot.”

“There’s also a high variability factor that we should all be speaking about. The Celtics depend on jumpers, while the Sixers can slump if they’re not getting whistles and/or giving crap about defense in transition. And let’s Don’t discount the potential upsets. Marcus Smart’s defensive antics versus Embiid and Harden’s foul-hunting won’t be watchable at times, but it will make up for the sun’s surface debate.

“In the end, what each team’s fans stand for in these games, both in person and online,” says the B/R analyst.

“This series may have the most engaging off-court atmosphere of any potential matchup to crack the list.”

No. 1 Milwaukee Bucks vs. Boston Celtics

February 14, 2023; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) drives for the basket against Boston Celtics forward Blake Griffin (91) in the first quarter at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory credit: Benny Siu-USA TODAY Sports

“It’s for all basketball junkies, hoopaholics who care less about rivalries and subplots and more about matchups and tactical silliness in high-stakes settings,” suggests Favele.

“Star power. Depth. Defense. Flaming offense with the ability to dominate. For most of the season, the Celtics and Bucks have been placed in a tier of their own, head and shoulders above the rest of the league. Despite the slide, both squads are still there.

“It’s fitting that we see them fighting again, when it matters most,” he closes.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

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Youtube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Story originally appeared on Celtics Wire

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