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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Justin Quinn

New Bleacher Report projection places Boston Celtics, Phoenix Suns in 2023 NBA Finals

The Boston Celtics are by many accounts seen as the team most likely to win it all in 2023. But Bleacher Report’s Grant Hughes has gone a step further, mapping out the entire 2023 NBA Playoffs from the first rounds of both the Eastern and Western Conferences all the way to picking a winner for the 2023 NBA Championship.

Hughes breaks down each potential matchup the Celtics and other postseason participants may face in detail, with Boston making a deep run yet again to the Finals, but let’s dive into whether the team achieves the goal of star Celtics forward Jayson Tatum of hanging his first (and Boston’s 18th) banner.

Fittingly, the path envisioned by Hughes for the Celtics is not unlike what they faced in 2022.

Round 1 - Boston Celtics vs. Brooklyn Nets

Feb 1, 2023; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) drives the ball against Brooklyn Nets guard Seth Curry (30) in the first quarter at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

“Though the Nets have depth, the star-power vacuum created by the departures of Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving means we should expect at least a game or two in this series to look a lot like that early February blowout,” writes Hughes.

“Maybe there’s more room for upset optimism if Spencer Dinwiddie or Mikal Bridges catches fire, but it’s not like the Celtics are short on shutdown options themselves.”

Prediction: Celtics in 5

East Semifinals - Boston Celtics vs. Philadelphia 76ers

Feb 8, 2023; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) is hit by forward Jayson Tatum (0) against the Philadelphia 76ers in the second quarter at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

“Dating back to last season, the Celtics have come away with wins in four of their six most recent meetings with Philadelphia, including the past three in a row,” notes the B/R analyst.

“For the Celtics to win, they simply need to attack Philadelphia’s defensive weak points, hit threes at respectable rates, and bask in the fact that they, unlike the Sixers, don’t have an obvious flaw to exploit,”

Prediction: Celtics in 7

East Finals - Boston Celtics vs. Milwaukee Bucks

Feb 14, 2023; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Boston Celtics guard Derrick White (9) looks for a shot against Milwaukee Bucks guard Jrue Holiday (21) in the first quarter at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

“It’s very often a mistake to pick a team that hasn’t been to the mountaintop over one that has, and Milwaukee’s 2021 championship gives it clout Boston lacks,” suggests Hughes.

“We’re going with Boston anyway. It feels like it’s time for this group to break through after advancing at least as far as the conference finals in four of the past six postseasons.”

Prediction: Celtics in 7

NBA Finals: Boston Celtics vs. Phoenix Suns

Feb 3, 2023; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul (3) directs teammates against the Boston Celtics during the first quarter at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

“(W)hile Phoenix’s theoretical offensive excellence has been key to it advancing this far in our projections, it feels most likely that defense is going to determine this year’s champion,” opines the B/R analyst.

“This will be a high-level, competitive series. But in addition to edges in shot profile and defensive integrity, it just feels like it’s time for Tatum and Boston to finally crest the hill.”

Prediction: Celtics in 7

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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