The Celtics were trending towards a showdown against the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round for days now but it became official on Wednesday. The Pacers win over the Rockets in Orlando locked them into the 4/5 matchup with Miami, setting the stage for the C’s to face off with their Atlantic Division rivals in the first round.
Philadelphia holds a 3-1 edge in the season series between the two squads but they will also be down All-Star Ben Simmons for the entire series after he underwent knee surgery last week. Here’s a full breakdown of the East matchups that are now set in stone after Wednesday’s results.
- Milwaukee vs. 8. Orlando
- Toronto vs. 7. Brooklyn
- Boston vs. 6. Philadelphia
- Miami vs. 5. Indiana
The Celtics-Sixers series will begin on either Monday or Tuesday (look for the NBA to release the playoff schedule on Friday).
Initial analysis of the series to come here at BSJ…but in the meantime here’s some reading on the matchups between the two squads earlier this season.