The Boston Celtics from the Eastern Conference had a golden chance to win the NBA Championship last season after taking a 2-1 lead in the NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors
The Celtics had the lead in game four, but failed to close out the Warriors in the second half. Steph Curry upped the ante in the Finals to allow Golden State to secure the fourth NBA crown in seven years.
Jaylen Brown proved that he was up for the challenge, whereas Boston’s other leading light Jayson Tatum failed to match Curry’s excellence on the court. The gulf in experience between the two franchises was evident in the NBA Finals.
Boston have come close to ending their NBA title drought that has lasted 15 years, but have not managed to get over the line. Their fast start to the 2022/23 campaign under rookie head coach Joe Mazzulla has fizzled out in the second half of the season, although they’re still going to be a threat in the post-season. There are offers and odds available through OddsChecker to back the Celtics to win the crown, although it will not be straightforward even to defend their Eastern Conference title amid the resurgence of the Milwaukee Bucks.
Boston Celtics Final Run?
Time is not on the side of the Celtics amid the turmoil that is currently raging behind the scenes. Although Brown has been excellent on the court for Boston, his remarks off the court have seen him hit the headlines, notably in his support for his former team-mate Kyrie Irving. Brown has suggested that he could opt to leave Boston in the near future, with his contract due to expire at the end of the 2023/24 season.
The Celtics could be left with the choice to cash in on the All-Star or offer him a substantial contract extension. Boston have already tied down Tatum, ensuring that one of their key pillars will be a Celtic for the long term. Securing a second long-term deal does not look as simple. As a result, there will be an urgency for Mazzulla’s men to win the NBA crown this term and capitalize on having both Tatum and Brown on their roster.
The problem will come in a potential showdown with the Bucks in the Eastern Conference Finals and stopping Giannis Antetokounmpo. Boston defeated Milwaukee last season without Khris Middleton in the line-up to support Giannis.
With Middleton restored to the team, the Celtics will have their hands full even with Tatum and Brown together. That’s before they can even think about the NBA Finals with Golden State still lurking in the Western Conference. This run might be the last dance for the Celtics before a minor rebuild.