NBA: 3 most intriguing possible outcomes from the play-in tournament

Los Angeles Lakers Anthony Davis (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
Los Angeles Lakers Anthony Davis (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
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Boston Celtics
NBA Boston Celtics Jayson Tatum (Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports)

NBA Play-In possible outcomes: The Celtics face the Nets in the first round

As much as the Boston Celtics pretty much backed into the play-in tournament, by losing 10 of their last 15 games, I still have some faith in this team as a potential threat – or at least a measuring stick – to the Brooklyn Nets in a potential first-round playoff series.

I don’t believe that the Celtics could beat the Nets in a seven-game series, especially if the Nets are heading into the playoffs healthy and the Celtics are not (after losing Jaylen Brown for the season), but I believe it could be an interesting matchup on several fronts.

For one, I’d be interesting to see what Tatum could do in the playoffs without Brown. Second, there’s no question that Brad Stevens is somewhat on the hot seat. And third, we’ll get our first look at the Nets at full strength in a postseason setting.

While I don’t think we’d be setting ourselves up for a possible upset, a Celtics-Nets could be an intriguing outcome from the play-in tournament.