Celtics — Easiest path to finals ever?

[stormtrooper8]

Can’t think of any easier in the modern era

Pacers probably the worst team to ever advance this far. Not a playoff team in the West — probably the 11th best team or so in that conference

 

[krit]

Pacers are not that bad man, as far as standings they would have definitely made the playoffs out west, and you can make argument the could beat anyone out west except Denver.

Celtics definitely have an easy path, but if they don’t win the championship the season is a dud. I don’t care what people say, this team has been a top seed out east for so long. At some point they need to win a championship.

 

[Jrgum3]

Can’t think of any easier in the modern era

Pacers probably the worst team to ever advance this far. Not a playoff team in the West — probably the 11th best team or so in that conference

You have shit on the Pacers all year man I know they're not a sexy team but they have some talent on that team. They're good and it's not their fault other teams have injuries. We finally have a series in the East where both teams are healthy going in and I wouldn't be surprised if Boston is at least tested in this series because the Pacers offense is elite.

 

[KingKolzig]

Celts last year but couldn't beat miami. Team doesn't have title character

 

[Jrgum3]

Boston is -1200 to win the series so Vegas gives Indiana little chance but I think the Pacers can take a couple of games in this series because their offense is so good. This is not some fluke team according to the metrics.

 

[stormtrooper8]

Pacers are not that bad man, as far as standings they would have definitely made the playoffs out west, and you can make argument the could beat anyone out west except Denver.

Based on standings? They played an Eastern Conference schedule. They were .500 against the West

They dodged a healthy Bucks and Knicks team (that was suspect even at full health)

The East is awful this year

And have a shot is different than beat them. I would pick about 8 teams firmly over the Pacers in a 7 game series if both teams are healthy


This Pacers team is like the 2021 Hawks. Very similar

 

[stormtrooper8]

You have shit on the Pacers all year man I know they're not a sexy team but they have some talent on that team. They're good and it's not their fault other teams have injuries. We finally have a series in the East where both teams are healthy going in and I wouldn't be surprised if Boston is at least tested in this series because the Pacers offense is elite.

They can score a bit

No one said it's their fault

They just aren't a very good team , though I do like them more now with Siakam than I did at the beginning of the year


It's an all time easy path to the Finals regardless

 

[stormtrooper8]

Pacers are not that bad man, as far as standings they would have definitely made the playoffs out west, and you can make argument the could beat anyone out west except Denver.

And they were nearly in the play in in the East, so "definitely" in a much better conference is a stretch

Their record would have been worse

 

[Jrgum3]

They can score a bit

No one said it's their fault

They just aren't a very good team , though I do like them more now with Siakam than I did at the beginning of the year


It's an all time easy path to the Finals regardless

I disagree they have good players on this team and now that they Siakem they actually have a legit chance to beat Boston especially since Porzingis is out for the first two games. It's not a forgone conclusion that Boston will waltz to the Finals they're going to have to earn it.

 

[samsncharge99]

Pissssed. Better prove it next year knicks

 

[BigJay]

Can’t think of any easier in the modern era

Pacers probably the worst team to ever advance this far. Not a playoff team in the West — probably the 11th best team or so in that conference

Feeling stupid Stormy for not putting $2500-3,000 on them at -127 at the time I really thought about pulling the trigger last month of regular season.

I’ve been playing it pretty chill with wager amounts though the last 7-8 months (which has led to some nice steady profit) so I decided not to.

 

[stormtrooper8]

I disagree they have good players on this team and now that they Siakem they actually have a legit chance to beat Boston especially since Porzingis is out for the first two games. It's not a forgone conclusion that Boston will waltz to the Finals they're going to have to earn it.

Believe me

I’m rooting for Indy

I hope you’re right

 

[jjgold]

The squares will be on Boston

 

[Jrgum3]

Believe me

I’m rooting for Indy

I hope you’re right

I actually agree with Chuck when he says this will be a hell of a series and it's only because I perceive Indiana to have one matchup advantage and that is Pascal is a force down low. If Porzingis is out longer than two games this will be a tougher series than expected for Boston because Pascal is a matchup nightmare.

 

[krit]

Based on standings? They played an Eastern Conference schedule. They were .500 against the West

They dodged a healthy Bucks and Knicks team (that was suspect even at full health)

The East is awful this year

And have a shot is different than beat them. I would pick about 8 teams firmly over the Pacers in a 7 game series if both teams are healthy


This Pacers team is like the 2021 Hawks. Very similar

You’re probably right.

They obviously aren’t crap. They won two consecutive series where they didn’t have home court. Injuries helped them, but to their credit they built up a deep team.

I wouldn’t consider the West some juggernaut compared to the East. OKC has to be one of the worst 1 seeds ever. The Suns were clearly overrated.

IMO it’s the Nuggets, Celtics and a bunch of good teams. The Lakers might be the third best team after those two. But I’m not sure there is a huge difference between the Pacers and say the rest of the playoff teams.

 

[Jrgum3]

The West is basically Denver, Minnesota and Dallas. OKC is good but inexperienced. The Lakers and Warriors are old plus Phoenix was overrated as Krit points out. I don't think the Pacers would be on the outside looking in if they were in the West. I honestly think they're well coached and have a pretty deep team which is why they're in the ECF. Whether they can beat Boston is the million dollar question but I think they definitely deserve to be here.

 

[azbob]

We know that Boston won't show up for one game so give one to the Pacers. The wildcard here is that Carlislie is a much, much better coach than anyone Boston has on the bench. I think Indy is one man short, but that is negated by the absence of Porzingis. Somewhere along the line, Boston misses the will and toughness of Smart as the Celtics are very sorry the Knicks did not win today. The one bet I will make now is Minnesota for the championship as if the Celtics make it, they won't be able to handle a team that actually plays defense.

 

[jjgold]

Bobby love your write up taking them

 

[Jrgum3]

We know that Boston won't show up for one game so give one to the Pacers. The wildcard here is that Carlislie is a much, much better coach than anyone Boston has on the bench. I think Indy is one man short, but that is negated by the absence of Porzingis. Somewhere along the line, Boston misses the will and toughness of Smart as the Celtics are very sorry the Knicks did not win today. The one bet I will make now is Minnesota for the championship as if the Celtics make it, they won't be able to handle a team that actually plays defense.

I agree Boston shouldn't be considered the favorite to win the championship but because they are a public team I think they are being listed as the first choice to win the championship. I would rank them 1. Minnesota 2. Boston 3. Dallas and 4. Indiana if I were making the odds to win the championship.

 

[stormtrooper8]

I agree Boston shouldn't be considered the favorite to win the championship but because they are a public team I think they are being listed as the first choice to win the championship. I would rank them 1. Minnesota 2. Boston 3. Dallas and 4. Indiana if I were making the odds to win the championship.

Boston should be favored by virtue of their path

They’re probably the third best team