How deep is the depth? Who is better in the Celtics against the Knicks?

Now, the NBA playoffs are full of news: the Bucks and the Heat have been eliminated one after another, leaving only the Celtics to advance with their heads held high. The defending champion swept the Magic 4-1 in the first round and finally won the first ticket. However, there are still powerful enemies such as the Knicks and the Cavaliers in the east. How deep is the lineup of the Celtics? Can core stars Tatum, Brown and Porzingis hold up the championship?

Although the opponent Magic has always played the role of "sheep", the Celtics' core attack power is still as fierce as a tiger. The three forward giants performed well: Tatum stole the limelight in the first round, scoring 35 points, 10 assists and 8 rebounds in a single game, with at least 35 points in three consecutive games; Brown was not willing to be outdone, and stood up when Tatum was absent due to injury, scoring 36 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists;

, and Gaota Porzingis contributed 19 points in key games, using the inside to hit the basket. In addition to the stable output of the Big Three, the team also has veterans Horford and Baibian defending iron walls. Even if the three-pointers feel good and bad, they can use experience to make up for their offensive shortcomings. As Brown said, the Celtics "not only have one way to win": they can play on the outside, they can also play on the inside, unite defense, and improve their performance at critical moments.

However, compared with the terrifying Iron Triangle, the Celtics' substitute lineup contributed relatively limited. Except for Prichard's outbreak and scored 19 points in the first game, other substitutes generally have poor scoring abilities and can only focus on defense and make up for the most of the time. On the bench, shooters like Heather and Craig occasionally have highlights, but don’t play much time; young players such as Connett and Quita are not stable enough due to lack of experience. Therefore, when the team rotates, they can often rely on veterans like Green and Prichard to provide energy, which shows that the depth needs to be improved. Inadequate lineup depth means that when facing stronger opponents, the starting three players will be more pressured. Once the Big Three performs in a sluggish manner, the team is likely to be in trouble.

Eastern opponents: Knicks vs Cavaliers

Next, the Celtic potential opponents have the Knicks or the Pistons, and the farther Eastern Conference may encounter the Cavaliers. During the regular season, the Celtics swept the Knicks in four games, and the two teams had different running-in degrees and had a psychological advantage. However, the Knicks' lineup has high-level outside firepower such as Brunson and Van Vreet, as well as tight defenders such as Hart, Anunobi and Bridges. Once a tough battle occurs, variables may occur at any time. As for the Cavaliers, they are the first in the league in offensive firepower this season, and easily swept the Heat in this round, and are in full swing. If you fight with the Cavaliers, the Nets + Mitchell combination will bring huge challenges to the Celtics. However, in history, the Celtics are always strong teams in the Eastern Conference: if they meet the Knicks, they can break through the blockade with speed and outside pull; if they meet the Cavaliers, Tatum's personal ability and Brown's experience in confrontation will be a highlight. Who can laugh to the end in the end depends on the improvement of the Celtics in defensive strength and lineup performance. At the beginning of the season, efficient three-pointers were the Celtics' business card; now, in the life and death battlefield of the playoffs, they also need other weapons. More balanced offensive choices, stronger defense and more stable rotation are the keys to determining whether they can move forward. Even if the opponent is as fierce as the Cavaliers, the defending champion has proven that he has the ability to adjust his playing style, such as winning if he doesn't shoot 3 points in the first round. As long as the core three are healthy and continue to lead the game, the Celtics still have the confidence to hit a higher stage.

What do you think about the prospects of the Celtics' championship this season? Can the depth of the Celtics lineup support them to reach the Eastern Conference Finals or even further? Welcome to share your views in the comment section! #Celtics#nba#playoffs#Tatum