Checking in on the Eastern Conference at 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 should be feeling nice.

At 42-17, it’s considered one of their greatest information at this level in franchise historical past. So good actually, it earned Joe Mazzulla a shedding of the interim title as head coach. Jayson Tatum is within the MVP race, Marcus Sensible is again on the courtroom, 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 only .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 test in with the East and see how the Celtics evaluate.

Milwaukee Bucks (41-17)
Report 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 assume which means the Celtics starters are going to crush the Bucks come playoff time, but it surely does give us a greater concept of how these two groups match up.

When the Celtics are hitting 3’s at that charge, they’re nearly unbeatable. The spacing and protection make Boston an extremely difficult matchup for Milwaukee, no matter who’s on the market. The one obtrusive weak spot 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 workforce within the Bucks that thrives in these conditions? A worse Celtics workforce beat a worse Bucks workforce final playoffs in seven video games — thrilling to marvel what these variations of the groups will seem like in one other collection.

Picture by Brian Babineau/NBAE by way of Getty Photos

Philadelphia 76ers (38-19)
Report 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 workforce, add onto it a matchup towards Boston and it appears nearly unimaginable to beat. Questions over effort from star gamers proceed to hover round this workforce 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 dangerous rotation selections to finish the sport, and wham, Hospital Celtics get it completed once more. Till confirmed in any other case, we shouldn’t anticipate a lot totally different this summer season.

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

The Cavs stay the one workforce within the NBA the Celtics have performed a number of instances and haven’t overwhelmed at the least as soon as. The one different workforce that seemingly has Boston’s quantity is Orlando at 3-1, however we’re not going to get into the Magic immediately. For now, Cleveland has been one of many season’s greatest 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. Certain, they’re +3300 and +4000 respectively, however that doesn’t imply they aren’t having an excellent season! Jokes apart, Cleveland is a troublesome matchup for Boston. They don’t have an excellent Tatum defender, however the remainder of the workforce performs such nice assist protection that they nearly don’t want it. Add in some nice late-game shot-making from the most effective backcourts in basketball and it might spell hassle for Boston. A difficult 1-4 2nd spherical matchup may very well be on the horizon.

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

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

Jacque Vaughn has had a hell of a 12 months teaching this workforce, however they continue to be above water. Mikal Bridges appears able to take an enormous leap because the #1 man on that workforce, however who is aware of the result of that? For now, we’ll preserve them on the League Go watchlist and analyze them later.

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

Such a captivating group, this New York Knicks squad. Are they good? Are they dangerous? Is Josh Hart actually the reply to fixing their points off the bench? Just like the Nets, this workforce feels nearly like they’re in a holding sample. Really, scratch that, this workforce 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 determine, so within the center they keep.

One factor to notice, they’ve been weirdly common in MSG this 12 months. 16-15 heading into the All-Star break, simply one thing to keep watch over for the remainder of the season.

Picture by Nick Grace/Getty Photos

Miami Heat (32-27)
Report vs. Celtics: 2-2

We’ll shut it out with the ultimate workforce over .500 within the Jap Convention. Mikal Bridges scoring 45 factors apart, this workforce 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 undoubtedly aren’t the identical workforce as final 12 months on both finish of the ground, their 3-point taking pictures is nearly solely 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 Sport 7 in Miami, it was tremendous enjoyable however I’d prefer to not have to do this this 12 months. Perhaps the play-in will maintain them…