I’m late attending to this right this moment. Not as a result of I misplaced observe of time. Nor was there one thing pressing that bought in the way in which. No. I’m late attending to this as a result of, for some motive, League Go solely posted half of the Boston Celtics’ game-five win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. I’ve waited and waited for the total sport to be posted, however nonetheless no pleasure.

This was a close-out sport. One other Recreation 5 that noticed the Celtics progress deeper into the postseason. I’d be doing you, the gamers, myself and the staff a disservice if I attempted to wing it by posting takeaways from the sport itself. I didn’t see sufficient, nor did I get a second watch in.

So, we’re attempting one thing totally different. I’ll preserve it quick and candy. Hopefully, no matter concern stopped me from watching this sport will probably be mounted by the point the NBA Finals rolls round.

The New York Knicks maintain a 3-2 lead over the Indiana Pacers. The collection has been a slug-fest. Each groups have thrown haymakers. Each have handled stellar performances and a few nights the place they couldn’t purchase a bucket. Indiana is a high-octane offense that likes to play in transition.

New York is sort of a boa constrictor. They clamp down, squeeze the life out of an offense and slowly grind you into submission. I like to consider their strategy as much like the “bind” transfer on the outdated Pokemon video games — they absorb some hits earlier than unleashing a flurry of their very own.

There’s no such factor as an ideal matchup within the NBA. Each the Pacers and Knicks include their very own set of hurdles. Indiana will run you into the bottom. New York will carry physicality and drive to the equation. Whoever the Celtics face, they’ve a tricky opponent on their fingers.

Ignore the media narratives, although. This Celtics staff is battle-tested. Possibly not on this playoff run, however Boston has earned its spot among the many finest rosters within the NBA over time. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown have been to warfare for this franchise. Al Horford has been there each step of the way in which. Derrick White went to the NBA Finals with this staff. Jrue Vacation is playoff-tested and a former champion. The checklist goes on.

This Celtics staff is aware of what it takes. They’ve what it takes. And so they’re cooking everybody of their path. Sure, tougher checks nonetheless await. A possible matchup with the Denver Nuggets is terrifying. However you’ll be able to’t look that far forward. Not but. Not proper now. As an alternative, the Celtics should wait. In the end, their subsequent opponent will turn out to be clear, and so they can start prepping for tips on how to assault their weaknesses and restrict their strengths.

Boston’s been right here earlier than. A number of instances. That’s the place their benefit lies. Neither Indiana nor New York’s roster has gotten this far — not as at present constructed. They’re swimming into the deep waters with no clue tips on how to cope with the undertow. The strain will get heavier at this stage. The extra eyes. The ultimate 4. New York or Indiana will probably be studying tips on how to navigate the entire off-court stuff that comes with being within the convention finals. For the Celtics, that is par for the course.

The convention finals are nearly right here. The Celtics will probably be prepared. They’ve gone 8-2 of their first 10 video games. They’ve seldom regarded like a staff that’s been overhyped. New York or Indiana, it actually doesn’t matter. Both staff is simply one other stepping stone on the street to Banner 18.

Nonetheless, if I made the selection, I’d select the Knicks. The “Battle of the Gardens” will probably be a lot enjoyable. Particularly if Tatum or Brown go for 40 in New York’s yard.