BOSTON CELTICS
Last season: 57-25, lost to Heat in Eastern Conference finals.
Coach: Joe Mazzulla (2nd season with Celtics, 57-25)
What to expect: The Celtics didn’t stand pat after coming up a game short last season of making back-to-back trips to the NBA Finals. Instead, Boston was one of the busiest teams this offseason. It started when the team did what was previously unthinkable and shook up its core, trading defensive specialist Marcus Smart, reigning Sixth Man of the Year Malcolm Brogdon and big man Robert Williams III in a flurry of activity that netted it 7-footer Kristaps Porzingis and five-time all-defensive selection Jrue Holiday. It’s created a win-now mentality and a formidable top 6 anchored by All-Stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, who inked the richest contract in NBA history in July. They should get plenty of support backed by Holiday, Porzingis, Derrick White and veteran Al Horford. There’s also been tweaks on the sideline, with sophomore coach Joe Mazzulla adding assistants Charles Lee and Sam Cassell. It all again makes the Celtics one of the favorites to come out of a stacked Eastern Conference.
Departures: G Marcus Smart, G Malcolm Brogdon, F Grant Williams, C Robert Williams III, F Blake Griffin.
Additions: G Jrue Holiday, C Kristaps Porzingis, F Jordan Walsh, F Oshae Brissett.
Player to watch: Tatum. The 25-year-old is coming off a season that included a fourth straight All-Star selection and career averages in points (30.1), rebounds (8.8) and assists (4.6). But it wasn't enough to help his team get over the hump to capture a championship. He’s added almost 20 pounds in the offseason and president of basketball operations Brad Stevens got him a natural point guard in Holiday who should be able to put the team in better situations late in games. Still, ultimately it will be Tatum who must become the on-court and vocal leader for this group if Boston plans on raising banner No. 18.
Season opener: Oct. 25 at New York Knicks
FanDuel Sportsbook NBA title odds: 4-1
___
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA
