5 reasons the Boston Celtics can win the NBA Championship

By Ian Levy | Apr 3, 2019

BOSTON, MA - MARCH 29: Aron Baynes #46 of the Boston Celtics reacts after a foul call during the game against the Indiana Pacers at TD Garden on March 29, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kathryn Riley/Getty Images) /

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BOSTON – MARCH 24: Boston Celtics head coach Brad Stevens reacts on the sidelines in the final minutes of his team’s fourth straight loss. The Boston Celtics host the San Antonio Spurs in a regular season NBA basketball game at TD Garden in Boston on March 24, 2019. (Photo by Jim Davis/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) /

2. They can get better

It may seem strange to argue that Boston’s inconsistency is a factor that could work in their favor but the point is they have the posted essentially the same point differential as the Nuggets aren’t anywhere close to their ceiling. We can’t say the same for Philadelphia, Toronto or Milwaukee, all of whom have been playing much closer to a theoretical best-version of themselves in the regular season.

Terry Rozier posted a 53.8 true shooting percentage in last year’s playoffs but fell under 50 percent this regular season. Jaylen Brown made nearly 40 percent of his 3s in last year’s playoffs but just 34.2 percent this regular season. We’ve seen flashes of Hayward looking like the player he was in Utah, but not consistently. Maybe those are bubbles that have permanently burst but Boston can be better than they have been. If that better version shows up in the playoffs, the sky is the limit.

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