NBA Veteran Calls Celtics 'Sleeper Team' For Championship Push
An Eastern Conference player identified the Boston Celtics as a threat to make some noise in the playoffs.
NBA Veteran Calls Celtics 'Sleeper Team' For Championship Push originally appeared on NESN . Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here . The Boston Celtics have earned a competitor's respect during the 2025-26 season.
Having spent his 11-year career with four different Eastern Conference clubs, Bobby Portis is plenty familiar with the Celtics. His Milwaukee Bucks have lost their last two games against Boston by a combined 56 points, so the forward thinks everyone should take Joe Mazzulla's squad seriously. Portis gushed over the Celtics when Michelle Beadle asked him on FanDuel TV's "Run It Back" to identify the best team he's faced this season.
"My sleeper team is Boston," Portis said. "Culture is everything to me, man. When you talk about guys that's been there, guys that have done it.
" The Celtics weren't supposed to remain title contenders with Jayson Tatum sidelined, but they clinched a playoff berth and their fifth straight 50-win season on Sunday. They're second in the East behind the Detroit Pistons with the NBA's top-ranked scoring defense. Tatum is not only back, but playing at a high level .