I requested the workers a reasonably easy query for this one: Predict what number of wins are the Celtics going to get (clarify).
Mark Aboyoun
After a 64-18 report final season, my wager is that Boston will end with a 57 wins. I feel they’ll nonetheless win the East, however with out Porzingis to start out the season there will probably be an adjustment interval and I can see them dropping just a few video games early within the season. When KP returns, there will probably be one other adjustment interval the place the offensive and defensive stream will probably be off till they bear in mind methods to play with one another.
Oliver Fox
As a lot as I’d like to sit down right here and predict 68 wins, which this workforce is greater than able to on paper, that’s simply not a sensible projection for a workforce that simply gained the title. Ignoring Porzingis’ absence, I’m on report as very involved with the Celtics’ motivation stage going into this yr, and I don’t see them killing themselves in late-March attempting to win 70 video games or one thing. I’m with Mark, give me 58 clear wins, particularly with how Boston should handle the well being of Horford and Porzingis going into the playoffs
Nirav Barman
This yr, I’ve the Celtics going 62-20. Final yr’s Celtics have been historic in various methods. They have been so dominant, that they primarily acquired to take the final month of the common season off, clinching the first general report within the league properly earlier than the playoffs. This yr, I see them flipping that season round, taking it simpler firstly of the season as they get within the stream of issues with Porzingis rehabbing from damage, and placing in a stronger push on the finish of the season to safe their place atop the league once more as they head into the playoffs with some steam. The East is definitely going to be extra aggressive this yr, however the Celtics are bringing again a banner-winning roster that has been by means of all of it collectively. What could lead to a couple extra losses as a consequence of greater competitors in some video games might be negated by their very own expertise and expertise in different video games. I don’t see their general report taking an excessive amount of of successful ultimately. (edited)
Ian Inangelo
I feel the Celtics will go 60-22 this season. They’re primarily working it again with the identical roster that simply gained 64 video games final season so I don’t suppose it is going to be that a lot of a step again. No Porzingis may end in just a few extra losses to start with of the yr however until there’s catastrophic accidents to the roster, I don’t see how this workforce can’t win 60 video games once more
Daniel Poarch
Asking for enchancment on a 64-win season is a towering order for any franchise, however I feel the Celtics will find yourself in the same ballpark of their title protection season. In an offseason that didn’t essentially see any seismic upheavals within the NBA panorama, the depth and continuity of the Celtics goes to be their largest power. The continued absence of Kristaps Porzingis in his restoration from offseason surgical procedure will probably be a check, however even with out his companies, that is the league’s most gifted roster. The expectation ought to be no less than 60 wins this season.
Trevor Hass
There’s no motive to suppose this quantity will improve or lower considerably. Positive, they’re now the hunted, however they principally already have been the hunted even after they didn’t have a hoop. Kristaps Porzingis’ damage will play a job, however the Celtics will energy by means of en path to the No. 1 seed in a 59-23 common season.
Steve Hooper
Boston will seemingly wrestle to repeat the demolition begin to end of the East from final yr and finish with round 59 wins. With Kristaps out to start out, Joe might want to shuffle the entrance courtroom rotations for early stretches within the season and I feel we may see just a few extra back-to-back losses or wins that fell to them final season swing the opposite approach. Saying that although, I nonetheless suppose 59-23 remains to be on the playing cards and certain ok for finest report within the league and title favorites.
Mike Dynon
Final season I predicted 61 wins and Banner 18. The Boston Celtics stated “maintain my beer,” racked up 64 wins, and cruised to the title in essentially the most stress-free playoffs in franchise historical past. Plainly put: The Celtics dominated each the common season and the postseason. (We in Celtics Nation know that, clearly, however not solely does it really feel good to sort out these phrases, that assertion additionally triggers NBA Twitter.)
Anyway, again to the query: The champs’ roster returns intact, Joe Mazzulla is now not seen as a questionable rent, and the strain to win a championship has vanished. As soon as Kristaps Porzingis returns from his surgical procedure, what’s stopping the Celtics from doing all of it once more? Granted, different East groups have made some enhancements, so there aren’t any positive bets – however now the burden of proof has shifted to them.
With all that in thoughts, the prediction right here is 61 wins once more and Banner 19. Why? As a result of it labored final time. And I problem the Celtics to show as soon as extra that I’m low-balling them. Actually, I gained’t thoughts after they do.
Jake Issenberg
On one hand, 64 wins appears like lots to ask of subsequent yr’s Celtics. Alternatively, the Celtics’ beginning lineup consists of Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, Jrue Vacation and Al Horford. Even when Horford performs round 60 video games ultimately season’s minutes load, it’s laborious to check them shedding many video games. The workforce’s flooring is extremely excessive on a sport to sport foundation, due to the two-way impression of their prime 5 gamers. Nevertheless, with Kristaps Porzingis out for the primary few months and Horford’s ongoing load administration, the middle place may current sufficient challenges to stop them from hitting 60 plus wins. I predict the Celtics will end with 59 wins, which ought to nonetheless be sufficient to safe the highest seed within the NBA.
Wealthy Jensen
I’m going to go together with my coronary heart on this one.
65 wins.
What I wish to see, no matter whether or not it occurs, is a Boston workforce that comes out of the gate with one thing to show, and that, regardless of getting one of the best shot from each workforce within the league each evening, they exit and win no less than yet another sport than they did final season.
Jeff Clark
Vegas has the over/below at 57.5 wins. I’m attempting to consider what real looking detrimental components may occur to make me “take the below” with this workforce. You must think about they’ve already factored within the Porzingis damage and maybe some regression by the workforce as an entire. The Celtics have been comparatively fortunate with accidents final yr, in order that’s at all times a wildcard. Maybe that is the yr that Al Horford begins to point out his age extra. Perhaps a number of the bench gamers wrestle at occasions. Maybe Tatum has a chronic taking pictures hunch. I don’t know, the record isn’t lengthy.
I nonetheless suppose I’d “take the over” (don’t gamble youngsters) and my prediction is a pleasant even 60 wins and one other first place end.
Your flip. Inform us your predictions within the feedback beneath.
