Orlando Magic or Atlanta Hawks? Who do the Boston Celtics prefer to play against in the 1st round of the Playoffs?

The NBA regular season has officially concluded, and the Boston Celtics have secured the second spot with a record of 61-19. However, they will have to wait to find out their opponent in the first round of the tournament. They will face the winner of the match between Orlando Magic and Atlanta Hawks that takes place on Tuesday night. The Magic finished the regular season as the seventh seed with a 41-41 record, while the Hawks were just behind them with a 40-42 record.

At first glance, the stellar power of the Magic, led by forwards Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, makes them a tougher opponent for Boston. This dynamic forward duo could pose a challenge considering Jaylen Brown's injury. The Magic also boast an elite defense, ranking second in the league. Orlando's length and versatility are noteworthy strengths. Throughout the season, the Celtics hold a 1-2 record against Orlando. However, one of these games occurred when the Celtics rested their top six players.

The talent, stars, and defense of the Magic are impressive. However, stylistically, Boston has a significant advantage. Firstly, the Celtics lead the league in three-point shooting, while Orlando ranks last. The numbers game gives Boston a crucial edge, which would be challenging for Orlando to overcome. The Magic rank 27th in overall season-long offense. Additionally, the Magic rank 30th in pace, whereas the Celtics rank 29th. Boston excels against slower-paced teams but struggles a bit more against faster-paced ones. Ultimately, the combination of the Magic's poor three-point shooting and slow pace bodes well for the Celtics.

Possible Matchup Against the Hawks

Similar to the Magic, Atlanta won the regular season series against Boston 2-1. However, they last played in January, and the Hawks' roster has changed significantly since then. The Hawks troubled the Celtics due to their elite wing defense; however, with Jalen Johnson out for the season and De'Andre Hunter now in Cleveland, this strength is not as prominent. Although the Hawks still have Zaccharie Risacher and Dyson Daniels, their wing depth is not the same. Elite wing defense is crucial for containing the incredible offense of the Celtics, led by Jayson Tatum and Brown. Furthermore, with Brown, Derrick White, and Jrue Holiday, the Celtics can make life difficult for Trae Young. The Hawks' lack of scoring options apart from Young will be problematic, especially when compared to the plethora of offensive options the Celtics possess.

One of the Hawks' advantages is their fast-paced style, as they rank third in pace this season. Notably, the Celtics were only 9-6 against top-five pace teams this season. In the 2023 playoffs, the seventh-seeded Hawks gave Boston a tight six-game series. While the Hawks' style of play and their experience against the Celtics will benefit them, there are too many hurdles to overcome.

Ultimately, the Celtics will defeat either team with relative ease, although the Hawks present a slightly easier challenge. Despite the Magic's offensive limitations, their star power gives them a better chance of making this series competitive. If the Hawks had a healthy Jalen Johnson, the story might be different, as their style of play fares better against the Celtics than against Orlando.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, ¿Orlando Magic o Atlanta Hawks? ¿Contra quién prefieren jugar los Boston Celtics en la 1ª ronda de los Playoffs?