For the B/R expert, that 'X factor' down the stretch is none other than Boston big man Kristaps Porzingis. While we disagree that the Celtics have anything like a soft underbelly in his absence given they won an NBA title without him for the most part,

The Sixers are running out of time to make a push for the playoffs and they start the second half off with a familiar and difficult opponent.

Part of the problem may be the fact that Boston has recently been valued at $5.5 billion with a looming $500 million + payroll next season, with no ownership of a home arena to help recoup those costs. And there may be further hurdles in front of league expansion we are not yet aware of.