Checking in on the Jap Convention on the All-Star break

The All-Star break all the time feels a bit bizarre. It “feels” just like the halfway level of the season, however in actuality, the Celtics solely have 23 video games left within the common season. It’s the ultimate stretch and the Celtics need to be feeling nice.

At 42-17, it’s considered one of their finest information at this level in franchise historical past. So good in actual fact, it earned Joe Mazzulla a shedding of the interim title as head coach. Jayson Tatum is within the MVP race, Marcus Good is again on the court docket, and Jaylen Brown might get All-NBA honors with a robust end to the common season. Their #1 seed lead over Milwaukee has shrunk to simply .5 video games, however what’s the NBA with no little intrigue to shut the season? As we barrel in the direction of playoffs, potential matchups begin to take form, so no higher time to verify in with the East and see how the Celtics examine.

Milwaukee Bucks (41-17)
Document vs. Celtics: 1-1

If the Celtics’ OT loss to the Bucks is any indication, any collection between these two groups goes to be very enjoyable. Sure, the Celtics bench pushing the Bucks’ starters to the restrict was entertaining to look at. No, I don’t suppose which means the Celtics starters are going to crush the Bucks come playoff time, nevertheless it does give us a greater thought of how these two groups match up.

When the Celtics are hitting 3’s at that charge, they’re virtually unbeatable. The spacing and protection make Boston an extremely difficult matchup for Milwaukee, no matter who’s on the market. The one evident weak point of this come playoff time is a straightforward query: what if the three’s don’t fall? Do the Celtics have sufficient of a brief and medium sport, particularly towards a staff within the Bucks that thrives in these conditions? A worse Celtics staff beat a worse Bucks staff final playoffs in seven video games — thrilling to surprise what these variations of the groups will appear like in one other collection.

Photograph by Brian Babineau/NBAE through Getty Photographs

Philadelphia 76ers (38-19)
Document vs. Celtics: 0-2

I file the 76ers underneath the “who is aware of” class. There are SO many monstrous query marks for them heading into the playoffs simply as a staff, add onto it a matchup towards Boston and it appears virtually inconceivable to beat. Questions over effort from star gamers proceed to hover round this staff in addition to Doc Rivers’ teaching, together with their insistence to play a full bench lineup no matter how usually it will get roasted.

their two video games towards Boston and those self same questions persist. Their most up-to-date matchup was the epitome of the final 5 years of Celtics vs. 76ers. Philly is available in on a sizzling streak trying like they’ve figured it out. Boston is a bit dinged up, giving Philly an ideal alternative to lastly get a win towards a battered rival. Lower to the top of the sport, Embiid has a horrible 2nd half, Doc Rivers makes some unhealthy rotation selections to finish the sport, and wham, Hospital Celtics get it achieved once more. Till confirmed in any other case, we shouldn’t anticipate a lot totally different this summer season.

Cleveland Cavaliers (38-23)
Document vs. Celtics: 2-0

The Cavs stay the one staff within the NBA the Celtics have performed a number of occasions and haven’t overwhelmed no less than as soon as. The one different staff that seemingly has Boston’s quantity is Orlando at 3-1, however we’re not going to get into the Magic right now. For now, Cleveland has been one of many season’s finest surprises.

The Garland-Mitchell combo has been actually enjoyable to look at and Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen are each concurrently within the DPOY race in line with Vegas odds. Positive, they’re +3300 and +4000 respectively, however that doesn’t imply they aren’t having an incredible season! Jokes apart, Cleveland is a troublesome matchup for Boston. They don’t have an incredible Tatum defender, however the remainder of the staff performs such nice assist protection that they virtually don’t want it. Add in some nice late-game shot-making from probably the greatest backcourts in basketball and it might spell bother for Boston. A tough 1-4 2nd spherical matchup could possibly be on the horizon.

Brooklyn Nets (34-24)
Document vs. Celtics: 0-3

This staff is…dare I say, inconceivable to speak about from a playoff perspective? No less than for now, I don’t suppose they even know what their finest lineup/rotation is correct now. They’ve so many wings, and so many small guards that may solely shoot, and if wasn’t for Nic Claxton, they could have the worst frontcourt group within the Jap Convention. And but…they’re nonetheless fairly good.

Jacque Vaughn has had a hell of a yr teaching this staff, however they continue to be above water. Mikal Bridges appears able to take an enormous leap because the #1 man on that staff, however who is aware of the end result of that? For now, we’ll preserve them on the League Cross watchlist and analyze them later.

New York Knicks (33-27)
Document vs. Celtics: 1-1

Such a captivating group, this New York Knicks squad. Are they good? Are they unhealthy? Is Josh Hart actually the reply to fixing their points off the bench? Just like the Nets, this staff feels virtually like they’re in a holding sample. Really, scratch that, this staff isn’t just like the Nets in any respect. The purpose is, the Knicks are sitting in that center floor between, “ought to we be nervous about taking part in them within the playoffs?” and “ought to we be trying ahead to taking part in them within the playoffs?” I can’t resolve, so within the center they keep.

One factor to notice, they’ve been weirdly common in MSG this yr. 16-15 heading into the All-Star break, simply one thing to control for the remainder of the season.

Photograph by Nick Grace/Getty Photographs

Miami Warmth (32-27)
Document vs. Celtics: 2-2

We’ll shut it out with the ultimate staff over .500 within the Jap Convention. Mikal Bridges scoring 45 factors apart, this staff nonetheless provides me pause come playoff time. Bam Adebayo is having a monster season and with Jimmy Butler inevitably turning it on when the calendar flips to the postseason, I’d desire to not undergo the entire Miami factor once more.

They positively aren’t the identical staff as final yr on both finish of the ground, their 3-point capturing is sort of totally centered round 3-4 guys, however with Eric Spoelstra on the helm, you by no means know what they’ve up their sleeve. As somebody who was at Recreation 7 in Miami, it was tremendous enjoyable however I’d wish to not have to do this this yr. Perhaps the play-in will deal with them…