Brooklyn, New York - The Brooklyn Nets waited for the Boston Celtics to prevail in Tuesday's Eastern Conference play-in game, setting up a marquee matchup that sounds better than most first-round series.

The Celtics have had been down a tough road but they've locked up the seventh seed in the NBA's Eastern Conference playoffs after they got past the Wizards on Tuesday night, 118-100. Throughout the season, Boston seemed to sink further and further like crates of tea in Griffin's Wharf, as they fell out of the top tier and ended up fighting for their playoff lives in the play-in tournament.

Jayson Tatum (23) has been carrying the load much of the season for the Celtics. He's their leading scorer with 26.4 points and he got over 40 in four games. That's not bad at all, considering Kemba Walker missed 29 games through a bothersome knee injury. Jaylen Brown also suffered a torn ligament in his wrist just last week, knocking him out for the rest of the season.

The Nets have been able to hover amongst the Eastern Conference's elite, despite dealing with nagging injuries to two of their big three, James Harden and Kevin Durant. Kyrie Irving stepped up during the season in their absence, as Brooklyn wrapped up with Philly in a back and forth tussle for the top spot in the East, with the Sixers securing the number one seed.

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Overall, the Nets are big favorites to take this first-round series against the Celtics, but Boston won't be planning to go out without a fight.

The Nets won all three regular-season games against the Celtics, despite their big three not playing together in any of the games. Irving was only the constant factor there, but he's only had Durant and Harden alongside him in eight out of 72 games.

Most people will tell you that consistency is key, especially when the goal is to win a championship at the season's end. Playing as a unit in just a handful of games doesn't generate much chemistry for lasting success, so these three must mesh quickly if they are to play at their best, which would make quick work out of the Celtics.

In a recent ESPN interview, Kevin Durant suggested his team are aware of the dangers: "We're coming out there and understanding we can be beaten if we don't lock in."

Boston's first loss to Brooklyn was a close one, coming up short by five points. The next one was worst at 12 points, then getting blown out by 28 at home for the season sweep. "We're going to have to play great together, and we're going to have to be really, really sound on both ends of the floor," said Celtics head coach Brad Stevens in an interview with ESPN.

The Eastern Conference first-round series between the Nets and the Celtics starts with game one on Saturday.