Four Bold Celtics Predictions As Boston Defends NBA Title

The Celtics have sky-high expectations this upcoming season, but they’re not totally unfair considering what we now know.

Boston finally captured that ever-elusive title back in June, and displayed a collective mentality in the months since that has raised the bar in terms of what people believe the team is capable of. It’s no longer about winning one, it’s about running up the numbers.

The New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers, Oklahoma City Thunder and Dallas Mavericks all retooled their roster in hopes of competing, but they have another thing coming if they think it’ll be easy. The C’s are going to celebrate their record-setting title victory Tuesday, but TD Garden will quickly return to normal once the ball is tipped — setting the stage for a season where we might see some truly immaculate things.

Let’s take a wild guess at how impressive things can get this season in Boston:

C’S WIN THE CUP!
The NBA introduced an in-season tournament last year, and there seemed to be a distinct difference between teams who took it seriously and those who didn’t. Boston clearly wanted to win the thing, beating up the Chicago Bulls before eventually falling in the knockout round to the Indiana Pacers.

The C’s are back with essentially the same club this season, so there’s no reason not to view them as the favorites in a group with the (admittedly great) Cleveland Cavaliers, Washington Wizards, Atlanta Hawks and Bulls.

Prediction: The Celtics capture their first NBA Cup.

WHITE’S BREAKOUT CAMPAIGN
It’s honestly pretty embarrassing that Derrick White wasn’t named an All-Star in 2023-24, as he averaged an insane 15.7 points, 4.7 assists and 4.0 rebounds — while shooting 39.9% from beyond the arc in 46 starts — by the time the break rolled around.

The Celtics will continue to feature the 30-year-old in 2024-25 and likely will rely on him to take on a heavy workload while the likes of Jrue Holiday, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown get some much-needed rest. White could also use some rest, but that isn’t the kind of player he is — and it should work in his favor.

Prediction: White earns first All-Star nod.

JAYSON AND JAYLEN TAKE ANOTHER STEP
We would be idiotic to start doubting the duo of Tatum and Brown now, right?

The Celtics might want to play it safe with their star duo, but Tatum is a perennial vote getter for MVP, while Brown’s brilliance was presented on the national stage throughout the postseason. It’s time they both get the recognition they deserve as a team, becoming the first Celtics teammates to receive MVP votes since Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce in 2007-08.

Prediction: Tatum and Brown each receive votes for MVP.

WARRIORS, BULLS, CELTICS
The Golden State Warriors set the wins record back in 2015-16, finishing with 73 in a single season to edge out the 1995-96 Bulls (72) and 1996-97 Bulls (69). The Celtics can get close, right?

We think so, particularly when it comes to the two added games they possibly could play due to the NBA Cup.

Prediction: Boston finishes 70 or more total wins, including NBA Cup.