Tag: 2023 nba championship

Do the Boston Celtics have a legit chance to make a comeback after winning Game 4?

How much of a chance does Boston really have to punch their ticket to the 2023 NBA Finals?

What are the realistic chances of the Boston Celtics staging a remarkable comeback to win their 2023 Eastern Conference finals series with the Miami Heat after their Game 4 triumph on the road? With Boston the No. 2 seed and Miami the No. 8, the case can be made that this is perhaps the best scenario yet out of 150 failed prior attempts to do what has been impossible.

So, given the Celtics’ performance in Game 4 and the potential comeback prospects of the storied ball club that is, at least on paper, the more talented of the two ball clubs, how much of a chance does Boston really have to punch their ticket to the 2023 NBA Finals?

The eponymous hosts of ESPN’s “Keyshawn, JWill, and Max” show debated it on a recent episode.

Check out the clip embedded above to hear where they came down on the Celtics’ prospects of advancing.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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ESPN’s NBA Today weighs in on the Boston Celtics’ title chances

The folks over at ESPN’s “NBA Today” show recently discussed where they thought Boston was in the thick of the title hunt.

Star Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum did not just save the Celtics’ season with his exceptional performances in Games 6 and 7 of the 2023 Eastern Conference semifinals series against the Philadelphia 76ers. The St. Louis native put his team back on track to get back to the finals to get another crack at winning the long-coveted Banner 18.

But it isn’t just Tatum — the Celtics’ well-rounded and surprisingly deep roster has positioned them as favorites to contend for the 2023 NBA Championship as they face a tough Miami Heat ball club in the ’23 East finals.

The folks over at ESPN’s “NBA Today” show recently discussed where they thought Boston was in the thick of the title hunt.

Take a look at the clip embedded above to hear what their panel of NBA analysts had to say about the Celtics’ 2023 postseason prospects against the Heat and beyond.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Is this version of the Boston Celtics’ title window closing?

Do they need to pivot their core players to extend their championship hopes into the future, or could there be bigger moves on the horizon?

Is this version of the Boston Celtics’ title window closing? On a recent episode of The Ringer’s “Bill Simmons Podcast”, the eponymous host discusses the Celtics’ chances of winning a title this season and in future ones, suggesting that last year was probably the team’s best chance at winning a title.

With the Eastern Conference getting more competitive than in past seasons and a few players on the roster who are aging or could leave the team in free agency coupled with the challenges of the new collective bargaining agreement (CBA), Boston’s future is anything but set in stone this offseason.

Are the Celtics missing their title window? Do they need to pivot their core players to extend their championship hopes into the future, or could there be bigger moves on the horizon?

Take a look at the clip embedded above to hear what Simmons and guest Kevin O’Connor have to say about the future of the Celtics as contenders.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Do the Boston Celtics have the mental toughness to win it all?

Is it arrogance? Overconfidence? Or just an old-fashioned case of the team lacking the requisite mental toughness needed to win it all?

At this point in the 2023 NBA playoffs, no one is going to dispute the fact the Boston Celtics have the talent to win an NBA title. Plenty of people (including the team’s own fans, maybe more than most people) believe the Celtics also are their worst enemy when it comes to hanging banners.

What exactly is behind Boston’s bad habit of not bringing its best effort to games in which it believes it is the better ball club? Is it arrogance? Overconfidence? Or just an old-fashioned case of the team lacking the mental toughness needed to win it all?

The eponymous host of the Ringer’s “Bill Simmons” podcast linked up with Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix to talk it over.

Check out the clip embedded above to hear what they had to say.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Brian Scalabrine on the Celtics’ title prospects on the ‘Dan Patrick Show’

Scal recently made an appearance on the “Dan Patrick” show to talk all things Boston in the postseason.

When it comes to the Boston Celtics franchise, very few can claim to know the organization like Brian Scalabrine. White Mamba — as he was affectionately known as a player — won a title with the storied club in 2008. He transitioned to calling games and providing analysis for the team he once played for.

Scal recently made an appearance on the “Dan Patrick Show” to talk all things Boston in the postseason, what it needs to do to hang the long-elusive Banner 18, the bad habits that might stop that from happening and much more.

Take a look at the clip embedded below to hear what the USC alumnus had to say about the title prospects of the team he once won it all with.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Why the Boston Celtics are the team to beat for the ‘Inside the NBA’ crew

Shaq and company recently surveyed the remaining field of postseason ball clubs, and came away with the consensus that the Celtics are the team to beat.

With the Milwaukee Bucks eliminated from title contention by the Miami Heat in the first round of the 2023 NBA playoffs, and the Philadelphia 76ers trying to get star big man Joel Embiid healthy enough to play in their Eastern Conference semifinals against the Boston Celtics, the situation is looking good for Boston to return to the NBA Finals.

The hosts of the popular TNT “Inside the NBA” show recently surveyed the remaining field of postseason clubs, and the consensus was the Celtics are the team to beat after taking down the Atlanta Hawks.

To hear the logic used by Shaquille O’Neal, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and Ernie Johnson, check out the clip embedded below to hear why they see Boston as the team in pole position to win it all.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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What would happen if the Boston Celtics faced the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2023 finals?

Would the Lakers have a shot against the Celtics? Or are we underestimating Los Angeles’ collective experience?

Even the most ardent fans of both clubs would admit such a meeting would be very unlikely given the strength of the field. But with both teams tied at 17 titles each and both the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers still in the hunt for the 2023 NBA Championship, one simply has to ask the question: What would happen if the Celtics faced the Lakers in the 2023 finals?

It would, of course, be the biggest showdown and a bona fide ratings behemoth, but what about the product on the court? Would the Lakers have a shot against the Celtics? Or are we underestimating Los Angeles’ collective experience?

The hosts of the “Buckets” podcast raised the question on a segment dedicated to highlighting the worst possible matchups for the ’23 finals. While there is consensus this series would not be among them, they do have some strong feelings about how it would go.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Are we looking at the 2023 NBA title favorites in the Boston Celtics?

Per one NBA analyst, the answer is yes.

The Boston Celtics are seen as title favorites by some NBA analysts, including Bleacher Report’s Greg Swartz. They have passed the Milwaukee Bucks in both betting odds and metrics.

“No disrespect to the Bucks, but did we forget about just how good these Celtics are?” asks Swarts in a recent analysis of what we’ve learned about teams in the playoffs.

“After all, Boston finished with the best net rating in the NBA (plus-6.7) while ranking second overall in both offensive and defensive rating,” he adds. “While Milwaukee’s fourth-ranked defense was admirable, the Bucks finished just 15th in offensive rating, even behind lottery-bound teams such as the Utah Jazz and Toronto Raptors.”

“After a run to the finals last season and with Giannis Antetokounmpo battling a back injury, these Celtics should be the title favorites,” suggests the B/R analyst.

The Celtics encountered some resistance from the Atlanta Hawks that may have taken a bit of shine off that particular apple, but arguably no team is in a better position health and play-wise to make a better claim, either.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Are the Boston Celtics favored to win the 2023 NBA championship?

Given all the issues other teams are dealing with, is it fair to say the path is easiest for Boston?

The Boston Celtics have encountered more resistance than they may have expected from the Atlanta Hawks in the first round of the 2023 Eastern Conference playoffs. However, they are also not seen — yet — as being at risk of not advancing to the next round.

If they advance, they will have to play a Philadelphia 76ers squad they have had great success at beating. In addition, the Sixers have a partially hobbled Joel Embiid, who is dealing with a knee sprain.

Beyond that, the Milwaukee Bucks have an injured star, Giannis Antetokounmpo, trying to play through injury and are on the ropes against the surprising Miami Heat. Injuries, inexperience and inconsistency are factors for all of Western Conference teams that might make it to the 2023 NBA Finals.

The hosts of the CLNS Media “Ryan, Goodman, and Tanguay” podcast recently debated if the path is easiest for Boston.

Take a look at the clip embedded above to hear what they had to say.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Which individual players are facing the most pressure to win in the 2023 NBA playoffs?

A number of contending and pretending ball clubs have players who, for whatever respective reason, are personally facing a greater level of pressure than their peers.

Which individual players are facing the most pressure to win in the 2023 NBA playoffs? A number of contending and pretending ball clubs have players who, for whatever reasons, are personally facing a greater level of pressure than their peers.

Paul George of the Los Angeles Clippers, James Harden and Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers, Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets, Chris Paul of the Phoenix Suns, and of course Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics all have pressure to win, but who among them is under the most pressure to win the league’s title this season?

The folks over at ESPN’s “NBA Crosscourt” show recently debated this question on air and came to some interesting conclusions.

Take a look at the clip embedded above to hear what Cassidy Hubbarth and Nick Friedell had to say.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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