NBA Playoffs, Rnd 1: Nets @ Celtics – 3:30pm ET, Sun, April 17, 2022

[GWVan]

I know it doesn't mean anything any more but Atlantic Division Champs for the 24th time!

There are those who wanted to avoid the nets, what are your expectations? If they can't beat the Nets then they are not going anywhere anyway. I never felt like losing was a good strategy running up to the playoffs. I believe that losing home court advantage in the second round was a colossal mistake for the Bucks. The defending champs and the team with the best player in the league should never be losing games to drop in the standings because you are scared of a team. Now you could end up playing a game 7 in Boston in the second round of the playoffs? We are not playing in the bubble bitches, home court advantage means something.

I'm clearing my schedule for ECF game 1 in Miami. I have made one ECF game, in 2010, Game 1 in Orlando, that worked out quite well for the Celtics.

[ddb]

I've had a feeling all along that it would end up Boston/BK. I don't like it AT ALL. Having home court helps immensely, and I hope that Tatum & crew are well past their admiring up KD/Kyrie. It's time to kill. It's time for the passing of the torch so to speak. If Tatum is ready to kill, ready to demonstrate why he's 1st team ALL-NBA and KD is not, then the Celtics win this series. But there is ABSOLUTELY world where KD/Kyrie do the killing, old vets like Dragic/Mills/LMA rediscover their game and play like themselves from 3 years ago, and BK beats Boston.
So I'll admit to being nervous about this match-up. The way I look at it is this.....If Boston wins this series then they will have a realistic chance to advance all the way to the NBA Finals...I think getting by KD/Kyrie will be a burden lifted.....

[Larry_Russell]

I've had a feeling all along that it would end up Boston/BK. I don't like it AT ALL. Having home court helps immensely, and I hope that Tatum & crew are well past their admiring up KD/Kyrie. It's time to kill. It's time for the passing of the torch so to speak. If Tatum is ready to kill, ready to demonstrate why he's 1st team ALL-NBA and KD is not, then the Celtics win this series. But there is ABSOLUTELY world where KD/Kyrie do the killing, old vets like Dragic/Mills/LMA rediscover their game and play like themselves from 3 years ago, and BK beats Boston.
So I'll admit to being nervous about this match-up. The way I look at it is this.....If Boston wins this series then they will have a realistic chance to advance all the way to the NBA Finals...I think getting by KD/Kyrie will be a burden lifted.....

Celtics will need to perform, 100% agree.

If they play like how you describe, then any team in the east playoffs will beat Boston too I will add.

[Triple7]

I've had a feeling all along that it would end up Boston/BK. I don't like it AT ALL. Having home court helps immensely, and I hope that Tatum & crew are well past their admiring up KD/Kyrie. It's time to kill. It's time for the passing of the torch so to speak. If Tatum is ready to kill, ready to demonstrate why he's 1st team ALL-NBA and KD is not, then the Celtics win this series. But there is ABSOLUTELY world where KD/Kyrie do the killing, old vets like Dragic/Mills/LMA rediscover their game and play like themselves from 3 years ago, and BK beats Boston.
So I'll admit to being nervous about this match-up. The way I look at it is this.....If Boston wins this series then they will have a realistic chance to advance all the way to the NBA Finals...I think getting by KD/Kyrie will be a burden lifted.....

I agree with this 100. I think JT is ready to take the next step and be dominant. He just needs to just do it. I agree, the team should stop being buddy buddy or being the little bros to KD and Kyrie. JT and JB has the perfect chance to show the world they are legit. If they flop and choke, then i will have a hard time trusting them again.

[sam_I_am]

It sucks that the Celtics path to the finals looks to be Nets, Bucks, Heat. However, home court for 2 rounds is a big deal and worth it in my opinion. I think the team most capable of beating Celtics at full strength based on what we know is the Heat. I think the Cs are the most capable team of eliminating the Nets and contrary to popular opinion I think it will easier in first round than in ECF. I agree with those who think Toronto would have been a more dangerous first round opponent. Playing the Bulls wasn’t ever in the cards. Playing the Cavaliers, the easiest first round opponent, is still a real possibility.

The Nets with a healthy Ben Simmons are scary because he becomes a 6-10 2008 Rondo whose flaws are entirely covered by having the superstars and Curry to pass to. I hope we knock them out because Kyrie winning a title is the about the only outcome to this season I cannot stomach.

[jmr07019]

I love all the disrespect from the national media. Gives Udoka plenty of motivational material. Hopefully it makes Brooklyn cocky and not on their A game. We know Durant reads too much press. Irving seems like the type to care what the media says too.

[bisme37]

FFS I just realized I have to think of multiple clever postgame thread titles for the same opponent from here on out.

[The_Ghost_of_JB]

Looks like this game is starting at 1:00 which I'm annoyed about because I'll be at dinner with the family.

[Parliament10]

Looks like this game is starting at 1:00 which I'm annoyed about because I'll be at dinner with the family.

Not sure if it's the 1:00 PM (EST) game, on the 17th.
It's been listed first, so we'll see.

[SuperDeluxe]

Looks like this game is starting at 1:00 which I'm annoyed about because I'll be at dinner with the family.

Your dinner is definitely concerning, but let's also not forget that the Celts' record in early-pm games has been awful for years.

[Marvel]

Simmons might play...hmmm interesting.

[Parliament10]

No Offense to anyone out there who doesn't Celebrate.
It's Easter Sunday. -- I'll be rushing home, after Church.

[Tatumfor2]

Simmons might play...hmmm interesting.

Rob might play...

[Bill Lumbergh]

This is freaking awesome. I am so ready:

Read on Twitter

?s=20&t=0MUnk8E0DZKbUMCo28CBcw

[Feed Your Head]

Looks like this game is starting at 1:00 which I'm annoyed about because I'll be at dinner with the family.

Read on Twitter

?s=20&t=YDPFqCwpmr9NJnSlpadzqQ

[Tyakack]

This is freaking awesome. I am ready:

Read on Twitter

?s=20&t=0MUnk8E0DZKbUMCo28CBcw

Might be my favorite hype video in a long time. I really hope this postseason is special. Tired of being good but not quite good enough. Let's get to the finals! And win.

[Bill Lumbergh]

This is freaking awesome. I am ready:

Read on Twitter

?s=20&t=0MUnk8E0DZKbUMCo28CBcw

Might be my favorite hype video in a long time. I really hope this postseason is special. Tired of being good but not quite good enough. Let's get to the finals! And win.

A chip is not out of the question at all. This team has a higher upside than the bubble team did, and our 2 other ECF teams had a little engine that could feel to them. This one feels completely legit, and the sky is the limit if we get Rob back playing like he was before he went down.

[zoyathedestroya]

LeVert is such a low IQ, low effort player. Cavs thought that was a good trade for them.

[zoyathedestroya]

Yikes. Bring on the Nets!

[Bill Lumbergh]

Okay then. Brooklyn it will be. Cleveland has no chance.