What are they going to say now’ an elated Jayson Tatum roared at his mother after the Missouri-born power forward led the Boston Celtics to their 18th NBA Championship last month.
Joe Mazzulla’s side have been one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference in recent years but struggled to break their 16-year barren spell boxing streams.
They had suffered a 4-2 NBA Finals loss to Golden State Warriors in 2022 and were knocked out in the Eastern Conference finals by the Miami Heat a year later.
Many people questioned whether Tatum and teammate Jaylen Brown were championship-calibre players. They proved them wrong last season.
The Celtics will now bid to become the first team since the Golden State Warriors to clinch back-to-back NBA titles (2017 & 2018). Read on as we assess their chances.
The Celtics are on a Mission
The Celtics head into the 2024/25 season as favourites for the title, with bookmakers rating them as 3/1 shots to clinch the trophy for the second successive year.
The team’s global fanbase will be eager to wager on them to achieve the feat, particularly in Ireland where the team’s roots are firmly embedded.
With famous supporters such as Mark Wahlberg and Ben Affleck adding to the Irish charm, it is little wonder the Celtics are so popular on the Emerald Isle.
Popular betting apps in Ireland will likely see a surge in wagers on the Celtics ahead of the new season, and their current odds could disappear over the next few weeks.
Numerous sports bettors in Ireland received a sizeable payout after the Celtics triumphed last season and they will be hoping for more of the same next term.
Momentum can Drive the Celtics to Greater Heights
Momentum often plays a key role in professional sports and the Celtics undoubtedly used it to their advantage last season.
They posted a 64-18 record during the regular season to leave their Eastern Conference rivals trailing and continued their good form in the play-offs.
The Celtics went 16-3 during the post-season, winning every series in five or fewer games. In simple terms, they were a dominant force.
Boston have retained most of their roster for the 2024/25 campaign, and this chemistry can help them claim consecutive NBA titles.
The reigning NBA champions do not have any of their top seven players with pending expiring contracts. They are all signed on to play next term.
The only contract worries are not pressing and will not impact the core if they leave. If this Celtics roster stays healthy, it should be one of the best teams in basketball again next season.
The Celtics’ success last season stemmed heavily from their strong team chemistry. Keeping the core group together allows them to maintain that understanding and cohesion on the court.
They know their strengths and weaknesses, allowing for automatic plays and smoother execution of strategies. Building that kind of chemistry takes time, and the Celtics have a valuable advantage by not needing to start from scratch.
The core players have tasted victory and understand what it takes to get there. They will carry that confidence into the next season, which will give them a psychological advantage over other teams.
New Signings can Make a Difference
The only perceived weakness in the Celtics’ squad is the age and injury situation of Al Horford and Kristaps Porzingis.
Horford played a crucial role as they powered to the title, but is now 38-years-old. Porzingis also contributed to their success, but is injury prone.
However, having acquired Baylor Scheierman in the first round of the NBA Draft, the Celtics have added more quality to an already stacked roster.
Fellow draftee Anton Watson is another exciting addition to the ranks and his defensive prowess could be a useful weapon for the Celtics.
While odds of 3/1 are a little on the skinny side given the quality of teams in the NBA, their squad looks good enough to mount a serious bid to retain the title.
