The NBA’s inaugural In-Season Tournament will begin this fall, as all 30 teams will battle to be the first winner of the regular-season championship. And while the group stage of the tournament won’t start until November, the Boston Celtics are already being discussed as favorites in the new competition.
Of course, the odds can drastically change once the season begins, but let’s delve into why the C’s could take home the first NBA Cup. Here are three reasons why the Boston Celtics will come out on top during the 2023 NBA In-Season Tournament.
To understand why the C’s are being viewed so favorably by Vegas, you have to evaluate the other teams in their group. Boston is a part of Group C in the Eastern Conference, which also features the Orlando Magic, Chicago Bulls, Toronto Raptors, and Brooklyn Nets.
While all of these opponents have talented players, they arguably don’t hold the star power that the C’s do. Behind Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and newly-acquired center Kristaps Porzingis, the Celtics have a formidable trio that can dominate on both ends of the floor. Conversely, none of the other Group C squads have established stars like that.
The Raptors are led by two-time All-Star Pascal Siakim, however, his name has been swirling around trade rumors this offseason. Plus, Toronto’s former No. 2, point guard Fred VanVleet, left in free agency, leaving Canada’s team without another legitimate star.
Brooklyn has the up-and-coming duo of Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson, but they haven’t quite reached the next level of stardom. This season could be where they and the Nets take off — especially if Ben Simmons returns — yet as of now, the C’s have a better roster.
The Orlando Magic also have blossoming stars, as Paolo Banchero is fresh off winning Rookie of the Year. Their team is very young and inexperienced though, so it’s hard to say that what they have compares to Boston’s rotation.
2. The Celtics might be in the worst group
Talent aside, Group C had a rough past season. The Celtics disappointed by losing to the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals, yet they still posted a better 2022-23 campaign than their counterparts.
The Magic, who are still developing, missed the playoffs and finished 13th in the conference. Chicago, in spite of its greater expectations, went 40-42 and lost in the Play-In Tournament. And perhaps worst of all, the Raptors lost the first Play-In game to the Bulls after being up 19 points in the third quarter. Brooklyn was the only Group C team that made the playoffs alongside the Celtics, but they were quickly swept by the Philadelphia 76ers.
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