Perhaps, one of the most exciting second round series in the 2017 playoffs. The Golden State Warriors will either take on the Los Angeles Clippers or the Utah Jazz (Game 7 - Sunday), while the Houston Rockets will face off the San Antonio Spurs and the Cleveland Cavaliers the third-seeded Toronto Raptors. However, the most interesting and exciting game of the second round, which may eventually end up going to either six or seven games is the Boston Celtics vs the Washington Wizards. Two teams that don't like each other, two teams that have been focusing on challenging the Cavaliers in the eastern conference, have to take on yet another challenge, in order to face the Cavs in the eastern conference finals.
John Wall and Isaiah Thomas have been incredible this year, both named all-stars, both point guards have led their team to the second round of the playoffs with strong performances all along. Super stars in the making, will now have to face off in a very heated second round series. John Wall this far in the postseason has been averaging an amazing 29.5 points per game in six games while handing out 10.2 assists per game and showing his superstar capable talents, potential. On the other hand, the Celtics being down 0-2, defeated the Bulls four straight times, with Isaiah Thomas scoring 23 points per game and handing out 6 assists. Throughout the curse of the regular season the two teams split their four games. The atmosphere in these four games, was like a playoff atmosphere, with two teams wanting to surpass each other in the standings, and get to challenge the Cavaliers. The passion both teams have is unreal, and it will be something that will stand out throughout this series. Technical fouls, trash talking, miracle shots, fights, close games, clutch player and superstars in the making, are all going to take part of this upcoming second round series. Both teams have unstoppable offenses, but lack this playoff defensive mentality that will win you games. Defensive rebounding is also an important issue for both teams especially for the Celtics, while both teams also like to run down the court and start a fastbreak that can lead to an open lane, for a layup, a dunk.Most important weakness.
Boston Celtics:
One of the most important and problematic issues for the Boston Celtics throughout this NBA season, but also through round one of the 2017 NBA playoffs, is the defensive rebounding. In the regular season they ranked 23rd in defensive rebounds per game. This is something that can affect the Celtics negatively, but also affected the team negatively in the two games they lost against Chicago. The Wizards have the 'offensive weapons' to challenge a weak team on the glass with Marcin Gortat, Markieff Morris, and even John Wall and Oto Porter Jr, and it will be something that can play a huge part in the series. Jae Crowder, Horford, Johnson but also Bradley have to box out in order to prevent an offensive rebound that can result into a second chance point that may hurt their team.
Washington Wizards:
Despite having a 'deadly' offense with John Wall leading the team, and Bradley Beal an offensive weapon, a scoring machine, the Wizards lack options sometimes. When Marcin Gortat and Morris are not in their game, the Wizards have problems. This also happened when losing the two games against Atlanta away from home. However, the biggest problem of the Wizards team is their defense which in the regular season was ranked the 21st defense in team opponent per game in the entire NBA. Another small but crucial weakness that may affect the series to a small extent, is the number of turnovers the Wizards make every game which is 14.1.
Prediction
Certainly, this series will possibly be the most exciting of all four second round matchups, as both teams have the passion and willingness to achieve their ultimate goal of the season, reaching the eastern conference finals, and taking on their biggest challenge yet, the Cleveland Cavaliers. If the Wizards play every game like their last one, this series will switch hands and will favor them. The final prediction is that the Wizards will either defeat the Celtics in either six or seven games. The playoff intention, the winning mentality, the superstar potential will all be in this series. A one series to not miss...Wizards in six or seven!
No comments:
Post a Comment