Celtics open NBA Finals as favorites after 38 years

Some have argued the Celtics should have been betting favorites going into the finals against the Lakers and Warriors, in 2008 and 2022, respectively. 

They won 66 games to the Lakers' 57 in 2008 and were the more well-rounded team led by the talented group of Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and Rajon Rondo. 

In 2022, they steamrolled opponents in the second half of the season with their No. 1 ranked defense, and were up 2-1 on the Warriors in the finals until Stephen Curry took over. 

Does the favorites tag exert more pressure on the Celtics to break through? Head coach Joe Mazzulla has downplayed the idea that his team is better than the Mavericks. 

"Everyone is a favorite to somebody," Mazzulla told reporters. He went onto reveal he's studied every NBA Finals since the late 1980s. "It comes down to the same thing —once you get rid of the fact that you're playing in the Finals, playing for a chance to win, it comes down to rebounding, transition defense, offensive execution, knowing your personnell, situational basketball. It's very simple. While it's simple, it doesn't mean it's not overly hard to do." 

Regardless of Mazzulla's answers, one thing is for certain: the C's have the most expectations entering an NBA Finals in decades. Unlike in 2022, when they ran into a proven champion in the Warriors, the Celtics will face a team in the Mavericks that didn't even make the postseason a year ago.