There's not much more we can learn from this season. The Celtics started selling playoff tickets on Monday. We have just a week's worth of games (4) left. There will be ample time to preview our first round matchup, but why not take a broader picture perspective for a moment first.
I was listening to The Basketball Jones the other day and they made a comment that the Eastern Conference series are going to be boring and predictable while the West has many more potential good matchups. I concur on the West. If you look at the standings, the current 8 seed is just 3.5 games out of 2nd place. However, I don't think you can count out the East in terms of drama just yet.
Taking into account that things could change, lets look again at the first round in the proverbial hypothetical state of "If the playoffs started tomorrow."
Cavs vs. Raptors - Yeah, this is a sweep. Moving on.
Magic vs. Bobcats - I know that Orlando is strong, but don't count out the Bobcats in this series. Jackson and Wallace is a nice 1-2 punch and Larry Brown will have them ready to play.
Hawks vs. Heat - Miami is riding an 8 game winning streak and Joe Johnson just sprained his thumb. I'm sure he'll be fine for the playoffs, but ya never know.
Celtics vs. Bucks - I hate to admit it, but even though the Bucks are probably the best matchup for us (without Bogut), you just don't know what to expect from this Boston team. I wish I could say that the Celtics are better than their record, but as Parcells would say, "you are what your record says you are" and right now our record says that we are inconsistent.