The No. 1 seed Boston Celtics will square off against the eighth seed Chicago Bulls in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.

While most one-versus-eight matchups are a bit of an afterthought when thinking about the most intriguing postseason pairings, the upcoming series should be filled with plenty of drama.

After splitting the regular-season series 2-2 with the home team winning each game, Isaiah Thomas and the Celtics will welcome Jimmy Butler and the Bulls to Boston on Sunday night in Game 1.

The 5’9” Thomas is in the midst of a spectacular, career-best campaign, averaging 28.9 points and 5.9 assists. If you’ve watched the Celtics play this year, you know that their entire offense runs through him and he’s what makes them tick. Further, he's been the best fourth quarter scorer in the league, providing important points down the stretch of most games. 

In the four contests against the Bulls this year, Thomas put up 24.8 points and 5.8 assists per game. However, he shot the ball very well against Chicago, going 53.8 percent from the field along with 48.4 percent from three-point range.

Therefore, it will be Chicago’s top priority to limit IT when he has the ball in his hands. Luckily for them, Jimmy Butler is up for the challenge.

One of the best two-way players in the entire NBA explained to ESPN’s Nick Friedell that he plans on making life difficult for the diminutive point guard.

"I look forward to that matchup," Butler said after Friday's practice. "Especially what he's done this year for that team. I know that it's going to come at some point in time. I don't know when -- but I'm going to make it tough for him. For anybody that I'm guarding. Not just me, it's going to be a team effort. I'm going to get beat at times, I'm going to need guys to be there. If not, then we'll do it over and over again 'til somebody is there if I'm beat. But I look forward to that challenge. I want that.”

Listed at 6’7”, Butler is a full 10 inches taller than Thomas, but has the physical gifts that it takes to stick with him for a long period of the game. Despite the major height difference, Butler respects Thomas’ versatile game.

"He's been that height for a long time now, so he's mastered it," Butler said. "He's really good at what he does. Coming off, pulling up, shooting shots. Getting to the rim, getting to the free throw line. 5[-foot-]8, 6-8, whatever it is, the guy knows how to put the ball in the basket.”

As one of the craftiest players in the league, Thomas has a knack for picking up fouls and converting at the free throw line, where he rarely misses.

While taking Thomas out of the game with his swarming defense would be wonderful for the Bulls, Butler knows that the Celtics still would have other pieces on their roster that his teammates would need to be ready for.

"He's a big part to what they do," Butler explained. "We all know that. I think they know that. But you can't take him out the game and think that you can win. Because they got a lot of other really good players, role players that make shots, create for others. They guard, they rebound, pass the ball. They got a really good team; they're really good at what they do.”

While that may be true, shutting down Thomas, or at least limiting him, will give the Bulls a solid chance at pulling off the first round upset.