Cards in the NBA: 2018 Playoffs are Here
By Jacob Lane
Terry Rozier – G – Boston Celtics
Season statistics: 80 games played (16 games started), 11.3 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 2.7 apg, 1.0 spg
Playoff matchup: (#7) Milwaukee Bucks
"Game 1 at Boston: Sun. April 15, 1 p.m. | TNT Game 2 at Boston: Tues. April 17, 8 p.m. | TNT Game 3 at Milwaukee: Fri. April 20, 9:30 p.m. | ESPN Game 4 at Milwaukee: Sun. April 22, 1 p.m. | ABC Game 5 at Boston (if necessary): Tues. April 24 | TBD Game 6 at Milwaukee (if necessary): Thurs. April 26 | TBD Game 7 at Boston (if necessary): Sat. April 28 | TBD"
Terry Rozier has been a bit of a revelation this season for the Boston Celtics, after only averaging a little over 5 points per game last year. He hit a game winner against the Pacers, notched his first triple-double in his first career start, and helped the Celtics to a 6-0 record to close out the month of March, even without several key players.
The Celtics will lean heavily on Rozier and several other young pieces in the 2018 playoffs, but many questions will need to be answered about whether or not these guys can handle the load, after finishing the season 2-4. The former Louisville guard didn’t do much to help either, averaging just five points per game over those games, but to his credit he was dealing with a nagging ankle injury.
The Celtics will need to get it together and fast, as the young Milwaukee Bucks are more than capable of knocking off the 2 seed behind the play of the Greek Freak, Jabari Parker, and Khris Middleton.
If Rozier is healthy, he should be in the starting lineup for the Celtics, and could be a huge part in them advancing. Boston and Milwaukee is definitely a series to watch. This all comes down to coaching, and I’m taking Brad Stevens and the Celtics to prevail.
Prediction: Boston Celtics (4-3)