Once Boston Celtics eliminate the Cleveland Cavaliers, who's got next?


There is a lot of uncertainty surrounding the first round matchup between the Boston Celtics and the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Questions abound, such as how many games the series will last, who will be its MVP and whether anyone is sure that David Blatt is not really Vladimir Putin?

But one discussion has been in short supply, and that is this:

Who do we prefer the Celtics play in the second round?

I know, I know. Why are we talking about the second round? I get it. Listen, I would love to talk about the conference championship or the NBA Finals, but it feels premature.

Let’s not jinx the guys, OK? All things in their proper time.

That being said, consider that we went 1-2 against the Bucks this year, but 1-3 against the Bulls. Tough call, since we beat both teams once, so it’s obvious we’re in their heads.

Beyond mere psychology, though, the Bucks are long and athletic and the Bulls have strong rebounders and post players in Pau “the L fell off my first name” Gasol and that hyper guy that played for Florida and looks like he just rolled out of bed.

Currently, the Bulls are leading their series 2-0, so they obviously are in good position to move on, but nothing is for certain.

That’s why they play the games.

That, and money.

Mostly money.

But consider our predicament. Even though our series with the Cavs will wrap up early, guys such as Jae Crowder will be exhausted from shutting down LeBron for the last few games of the series. Isaiah Thomas’s 30 ppg average might dip after he becomes further removed from his anger at being snubbed for the Sixth Man Award.

And Gigi Datome might eventually come back down to Earth after his surprising 27 point, 16 rebound performance in the clinching game after shaving himself bald and beardless the night before.

On the plus side, it’ll be nice to have Coach Stevens back after his two-game suspension for ripping off his shirt and pushing a referee into the basketball stanchion in Game Four.

So what do you think? After the monumental task of this series has been overcome and LeBron takes his talents to the golf course, who do we match up best against in the second round?

(AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

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