The defending-champion Boston Celtics continue their quest to repeat in 2025.
On Tuesday, they picked up a series-clinching, blowout win at home versus the Orlando Magic, who fought hard to to earn postseason berth despite being short-handed with long-term injuries to Jalen Suggs and Moe Wagner.
After needing only five games to dispatch Orlando, Jayson Tatum and the Celtics will wait nearly a week to resume play as the series between New York and Detroit wraps up (Knicks lead the series, 3-2 with Game 6 on the horizon). In the meantime, the NBA announced their upcoming schedule for the second round - Boston will play on May 5th (Game 1), May 7th (Game 2), May 10th (Game 3), and May 12th, as well as May 14th, 16th & 19th (if necessary).
If the series between the New York and Detroit goes to 7 games, the victor will have just two days' rest until the next round. Boston, on the other hand, gets six days off regardless.
The additional time off should serve their veteran-laden team well, especially with Jrue Holiday currently battling a hamstring that sidelined him for the final three games of the first round.
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In last year's Semifinals against the Cleveland Cavaliers, it only took Boston five games to advance to the Conference Finals. Jayson Tatum led the way with 26.8 points per game, while Jaylen Brown added 23.4 points per game on a ridiculous 59% shooting from the field.
Boston's looking for similar success facing either New York or Detroit.
In the regular season, the Celtics went 3-1 versus the Pistons and completed their first sweep of the Knicks since the 2019-20 campaign.
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