Joe Mazzulla Addresses Celtics' Status As Favorites Before Playoffs
The Boston Celtics have the shortest odds to win the Eastern Conference.
Joe Mazzulla Addresses Celtics' Status As Favorites Before Playoffs originally appeared on NESN . Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here . Before the 2025-26 season tipped off, few NBA fans would have expected the Boston Celtics to enter the playoffs as a top championship contender.
Boston trailed 15 teams when beginning the season as a -6000 long shot to win the NBA Finals. Joe Mazzulla's squad is no longer an underdog, as the Celtics are +160 favorites to win the Eastern Conference on FanDuel Sportsbook. Mazzulla was asked about that steep transformation before Sunday's Game 1 against the Philadelphia 76ers, courtesy of CLNS Media .
The head coach explained that the public perception hasn't affected his approach ahead of the postseason. "Our messaging internally has been the same for however long I’ve been in the Celtics organization," Mazzulla said. "Just have to be consistent in the things that impact winning.
Understand that there's highs, there's lows, and you stay consistent to the process of winning. Stick together, and the results take care of itself. " Preparing to potentially miss Jayson Tatum for the entire season, the Celtics substantially rearranged their roster by trading Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis.