Celtics
ESPN has the Celtics ending first within the Jap Convention for the primary time since 2016-17.
![Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) during Game 2 of the NBA basketball Eastern Conference Finals series, Friday, May 19, 2023, in Boston.](https://bdc2020.o0bc.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Heat_Celtics_Basketball_07141-64e6a5510f9cd-768x432.jpg)
With Brad Stevens including one other All-Star expertise subsequent to Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown this offseason, expectations will probably be excessive for the 2023-24 Celtics.
ESPN appears to agree, because the community’s new win-loss predictions for the upcoming NBA season tabs Boston as the highest seed within the Jap Convention standings.
Of their submit, ESPN has the Celtics ending first within the convention for the primary time since 2016-17 off of a report of 55-27.
Their projections have Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks ending simply behind Boston with a 54-28 report, and the Cleveland Cavaliers rounding out the highest three with a 50-32 report.
ESPN additionally lists the 76ers (47-35), Miami Warmth (46-36), and the New York Knicks (46-36) as the opposite high contenders within the East this season.
The Celtics boast one of the gifted rosters on paper getting into the brand new season. A core anchored by Tatum and Brown is already probably the greatest within the NBA. The addition of Kristaps Porizingis added a much-needed component as a confirmed scorer within the submit and a poised pick-and-roll defender.
Derrick White can be set for a bigger function, whereas reigning Sixth Man of the 12 months Malcolm Brogdon is slated to return alongside different key cogs in Robert Williams and Al Horford.
Nonetheless, there are nonetheless loads of query marks surrounding Boston in 2023-24. With Marcus Sensible dealt to Memphis as a part of the Porzingis deal and Grant Williams now in Dallas, Boston has misplaced loads of its defensive fortitude, particularly on the perimeter with Sensible.
As gifted as this present roster is, gamers like Porzingis and Robert Williams even have a prolonged historical past on the subject of accidents.
But when each large males can stay wholesome, the Celtics must be seen as one of many favorites for a deep run throughout the 2023-24 season.
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