#7 Boston Celtics: 36-36
Over the last four years, the Celtics have made the Eastern Conference Semifinals every year, including the Eastern Conference Finals 3 times in this span. This year though has been a very disappointing year for the Celtics and they will definitely have their work cut out for them if they are to make the playoffs for the 7th consecutive season.
Jaylen Brown has been ruled out for the remainder of the season as he underwent surgery to repair a torn ligament in his left wrist and with Kemba Walker dealing with on-and-off knee problems, it seems like Jayson Tatum will have to do everything to try and carry this team from this point on.
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While they did beat them 2 of the 3 times they played them in the regular season, drawing a matchup with the Wizards in the 7-seed vs. 8-seed play-in game is not ideal for Boston because of the fact that Washington is one of the hottest teams in the league right now!
Not only is Tatum going to have to be fantastic during the Celtics one or two play-in games, depending on if they win or lose to the Wizards, but Kemba Walker and Evan Fournier are also going to have to be great.
Given how weak their supporting cast is and Jaylen Brown being out, my expectations for the Boston Celtics are not high at all and while they may come away with a victory against the Wizards or against the winner of the 9/10 matchup, should they lose to the Wizards, it is highly likely that the Celtics will be facing a 4-0 sweep should they play either the 76ers or the Nets.
