Sometimes, it’s better to be lucky. Boston Celtics Both of you are lucky. and That’s great. Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and co. definitely deserve to be in the NBA Finals. After all, this team had the best record in the entire league with a 64-18 regular season and was resilient in the playoffs, winning multiple series.
All of this can be celebrated while also acknowledging that the Celtics were incredibly lucky with how the playoffs played out: Their entire opponents suffered injuries at the worst possible time, and Boston had to thoroughly beat flawed and bruised opponents on their way to the NBA Finals.
Celtics vs. Heat (Boston wins 4-1)
This series was marked by the absence of Jimmy Butler, who sprained his MCL during the play-in tournament and was forced to miss the entire series against Boston. Miami struggled but, with only Bam Adebayo as a nightly threat, they lacked the talent to match up with the Celtics’ depth.
Tyler Herro was good, and Caleb Martin was good at times, but the series was never close except for Game 2. Butler was the Heat’s glue, a competitive scorer who could organize the offense and get the points. Without him, the Heat were just a loose collection of good players without a core.
Could the Heat have played a full roster and held their own against the Celtics throughout the series? We’ll never know.
Celtics vs. Cavaliers (Boston wins 4-1)
Another series, another major injury, this time to Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen, who missed the entire series with a broken rib. Allen also missed Cleveland’s opening series against the Magic, and was the main reason that series took seven games to decide.
Losing Allen, the Cavs’ best rim defender and a nightly double-double, was a big blow to the Cavs’ chances. Boston outrebounded them and prevented second-chance shots. It also spread the floor, allowing Boston to shoot more freely from long range.
The Cavaliers’ problems were compounded when Donovan Mitchell missed the final two games of the series with a knee injury. The moment it became clear that Mitchell would be out, the Cavs were in trouble. They just weren’t competitive without Allen and Mitchell, allowing the Celtics to take another easy win.
Celtics vs. Pacers (Boston wins 4-0)
This has led to talk of a sweep, but honestly, it’s all down to Tyrese Haliburton. With unbelievable injuries, Haliburton literally and figuratively limped through the NBA playoffs like a wounded gladiator, and it was only a matter of time before his body gave out.
Haliburton finally retired after two games against the Celtics. Things fall apart without Haliburton’s versatility to lead on both ends of the court. To the Pacers’ credit, Andrew Nembard was a Herculean force, but even a few flashy games can’t make up for Haliburton’s abilities as a game-winner, a divider and a point guard who can control the pace of a game.
In the end, it was just a numbers game for the Celtics, who didn’t need to play more than second gear against a Pacers team without their top star, and Boston, for the third straight series, was fortunate enough to have their opponent’s best player sidelined at the worst possible time.
The Celtics’ finals matchup also looks very good.
We are in danger Dallas Mavericks They’ll face the Celtics in the NBA Finals, which is a dream game for Boston, as the Mavs are the best team in the Western Conference for Boston.
In Denver, the Celtics don’t have an answer for Jokic in the middle, and with the Timberwolves, there were doubts they could handle the athleticism of Anthony Edwards on the wing and manage a trade with KAT in the middle.
Dallas has focused their offense on a backcourt that features Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic, both of whom are capable of scoring big numbers. But look at this matchup. Boston has arguably the best defender in the league in Jrue Holiday, who may not be able to contain Kyrie, but he can certainly slow him down. And Derrick White, another outstanding defender, could easily do the same for Luka.
Essentially, Dallas’ two biggest weapons are neutralized before the series even begins. Meanwhile, the Mavericks don’t have great answers for Jayson Tatum or Jaylen Brown. P.J. Washington is an inconsistent defender and will likely struggle against Tatum. Meanwhile, Derrick Jones Jr. is a plus-level defender but may be useless against Jaylen Brown.
The stage was set for the Celtics to win an NBA championship with relative ease, and while I’m not particularly critical of them because sports is unpredictable that way, there’s no denying that this was the ideal team with the perfect conditions and circ*mstances.
