Boston Celtics
Vegas Over/Under: 56.5
Fromal’s Record Projection: 52-30 The Bet: Under with confidence
We are working under the exact same premise that directed Vegas to set the over/under at 56.5 wins: Kyrie Irving is now a member of the Boston Celtics, since the onus is on the Cleveland Cavaliers to veto a transaction that is close to processing.
Until that situation is solved, we are going to be factoring in a changing of the guard from Isaiah Thomas to Irving, as well as the departures of Jae Crowder and Ante Zizic.
Boston went through tumult that was a lot of this offseason. Few members of last year’s team stay, which is always debatable in a a league that has so many advantages gleaned from preexisting chemistry.
Talented as Gordon Hayward, Irving, Jayson Tatum along with the other novices might be, they will undergo an inevitable adjustment period that prevents them from running away with the Eastern Conference’s No. 1 seed.
Plus, we can’t forget what they dropped.
Avery Bradley was a piece on both ends of the ground. The scenario for Boston is that replacing him is a wash. But there’s no way to replicate what Crowder attracted to the proverbial tablethe C 11.5 points per 100 possessions better with him on the ground.
This squad will be one of the best from the East, competing during the entire year for high billing. From the time the playoffs roll around, the Celtics could be the favorites to advance to the NBA Finals and end LeBron James’ reign of terror.
Just don’t be surprised when they go through some tough times .
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