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Predicting Disney: The Boston Celtics
The Celtics come into Disney as a team brimming with potential. The big story for the green this year has been the emergence of Jayson Tatum as a two-way superstar coinciding with the rise of his much-improved running mate in Jaylen Brown. While the Celtics still have some questions to answer, particularly when it comes to their somewhat lackluster bench, shaky big man depth, and the health of star players such as Kemba Walker and Gordon Hayward, as long as Brown and Tatum are on the court and Brad Stevens is drawing up the plays this is a genuinely hard to beat squad that should be considered a dark horse finals threat.
Eight Game Schedule
July 31 vs. Milwaukee Bucks: L
While the Bucks don’t have a ton to play for with the one seed all but locked up, I expect that like the Celtics, Giannis and co. will want to get the ball rolling early with a win in Orlando. Expect a hard-fought, close loss for the Celtics here.
August 2nd vs. Portland Trail Blazers: W
The Celtics defeated the Blazers a lifetime ago in February. While Damian Lillard has always been a killer against Boston, a few juicy matchups on the wings put the Celtics over the top for their first win in Disney. In particular, I expect Jayson Tatum to feast on the likes of Carmelo Anthony and Mario Hezonja.
August 4th vs. Miami Heat: W
The Celtics have owned Miami all year, beating them at home and on the road. While Bam Adebayo presents problems for the Celtics frontcourt, the Heat haven’t been able to guard Kemba Walker particularly well, and with some time to rest his knees I expect Kardiac Kemba will carry the day.
August 5th vs. Brooklyn Nets: W
Under normal circumstances, coming off of a back to back against a team that has typically given the Celtics problems, I would expect this to be a classic dropped game for the green. However, the Nets team that is coming to Orlando is a hollow skeleton that barely resembles the frisky squad from earlier this year. The Celtics at full strength are just deeper and better than this Nets team potentially missing four of its top five.
August 7th vs. Toronto Raptors: W
The Celtics and Raptors have met three times this year, with the Celtics prevailing twice. While the Raptors were without Pascal Siakam for two of these games, when the Raptors won in January the Celtics were on the road and coming off a back to back. The best evidence we can use for predicting this contest is probably the first time these two met in the Celtics first home game of the season, a tightly contested affair where the Celtics prevailed by 6 points. I’m expecting a similar result here, though it truly could swing either way.
August 9th vs. Orlando Magic: W
Again, in normal circumstances, this strikes me as a game that the Celtics might not wake up for. That being said, while Orlando is frisky, without Jonathan Isaac in the lineup I just don’t see the Magic being able to handle the wing trio of Tatum, Brown, and Hayward. The Celtics have taken care of business against Orlando thus far, and I don’t think it changes here.
August 11th vs. Memphis Grizzlies: L
The Celtics seemingly always drop games that defy explanation during the middle of a potential win streak. A young, athletic, motivated Memphis team trying to fend off the Pelicans and Blazers for the 8 seed fits the bill as the team most likely to pull off the upset. Expect big games from Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. as the Grizz live to fight another day.
August 13th vs. Washington Wizards: L
By this time, with standings fairly locked up, I expect the Celtics will likely sit many of their starters such as Kemba Walker, Jayson Tatum, and Daniel Theis as they prepare for the postseason. If the Celtics have a shot at the 2 seed they will play this one out, but as of now I expect the Wizards to still be playing for something while Brad Stevens’ main crew is playing ping pong in the hotel lobby.
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