Boldly predicting the 1st-round outcome of each potential Eastern Conference playoff series
By Ari Schwartz
As we move past the all-star break and back into the regular season, we are nearing the long-awaited NBA playoffs. Here is how the currently slated first-round matchups in the Eastern Conference could play out in April.
1 vs 8: Boston Celtics (No. 1 Seed) vs Orlando Magic (No 8 Seed)
Assuming they make it out of the play-in tournament, Orlando will have a tough first-round matchup with the Boston Celtics, who currently have the best record in the NBA at 45-12. Boston has constructed perhaps the best roster we've seen from them in the Tatum-Brown era, acquiring Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis in the offseason to form what is now the league's scariest team.
Assuming they make it out of the play-in tournament, Orlando will have a tough first-round matchup with the Boston Celtics, who currently have the best record in the NBA at 45-12. Boston would come into this series as clear favorites, with more playoff experience and a much more proven roster than Orlando's. However, simply making it to this point would be a success for the Magic, who have exceeded expectations this season.