The Boston Celtics are tied for the most championships in NBA history with 17.
However, most of their rings came in the earlier stages of the league, and they have rarely found success in the postseason over the past four decades or so.
As a matter of fact, they hadn’t been favorites to win the NBA Finals the last four times they reached this stage.
According to ESPN BET on Twitter, this will be the first time the Celtics are favored ahead of the NBA Finals since 1986, with them being underdogs in 1987, 2008, 2010, and 2022.
The Celtics have been underdogs in four finals appearances (1987, 2008, 2010, 2022) since 1986, winning once in 2008 against the Lakers ☘️ pic.twitter.com/puCNeTNWKj
— ESPN BET (@ESPNBet) June 3, 2024
The Celtics have only won one ring since 1986 as well, which came in 2008 against Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers.
This Celtics team has been the odds-on favorite to win the whole thing since the start of preseason, and it hasn’t changed a bit throughout the course of the campaign.
Moreover, they may have been the odds-on favorites to win at least 95% of their games this season.
That speaks volumes about the dominance and incredible roster they have, being perhaps the most stacked and deepest team in the entire Association.
Brad Stevens deserves plenty of credit for the way he’s put this roster together, even making some tough decisions to make sure they’re in the best possible situation.
However, that also puts plenty of pressure on Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and coach Joe Mazzulla, as there will be no valid excuse to fall short of their goal again this time around; they have to win at all costs.
NEXT: Magic Johnson Says Joe Mazzulla Has Important Decision To Make
