Entering the playoffs, the Boston Celtics have transformed from a -6000 long shot to +160 favorites to win the Eastern Conference, according to FanDuel Sportsbook. Head coach Joe Mazzulla addressed this shift, stating that internal messaging remains focused on consistency and the process of winning. Despite losing key players like Al Horford and Luke Kornet, the Celtics finished the season with an impressive 56-26 record and allowed the fewest points in the NBA at 107.2 per game. Jaylen Brown has been a standout performer, averaging a career-high 28.7 points per game, while Jayson Tatum's return has bolstered the team's performance, as they went 13-3 with him back on the court. The Celtics will begin their playoff journey against the Philadelphia 76ers, who will be without star player Joel Embiid, in a best-of-seven series starting Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.