For the second time in three seasons, the Boston Celtics will be in the NBA Finals. Following their sweep of the Pacers in the conference finals, the Celtics are just four wins from their first championship since 2008. This time around, they will enter the championship stage with the best record in the league, and a lot of numbers and history on their side.
This season, with playoffs as well as regular season factored in, Boston holds the fourth-highest point differential in NBA history. For reference, each team that finished in the top seven for point differential all-time has gone on to win a championship. Additionally, among all the teams in the top 15 for point differential in history, only three have not gone on to win a championship.
Heading into the Finals, the Celtics have won 12 of their 14 games played in the playoffs thus far. Only 17 other teams in league history have begun the postseason 12-2 or better, and 13 of them ended up holding the Larry O'Brien trophy when it was all said and done.
Suffice to say, Boston is an excellent position to take home four more wins and earn their record 18th championship in franchise history. If they end up pulling it off, one Celtic may enjoy the sweet taste of victory a little more than the rest: Kristaps Porzingis.
Beating his former team may make a championship extra special for Porzingis
Most NBA fans are aware that Kristaps previously played for the Mavericks from 2019 until 2022. While his tenure in Dallas was far from terrible, he did not necessarily have the best years of his career there. In fact, he has gone on record admitting that he was unhappy with how his talent was utilized while with the Mavs.
One of the most pivotal events for the Mavericks during Porzingis' time there was the 2021 first round series with the LA Clippers. After taking a 2-0 lead on the road, it looked like Dallas would finally win their first playoff series in the Luka Doncic era. But instead, they lost four of the next five games to fall in seven to Kawhi Leonard and Paul George.
Last year, Kristaps explained that he was so dissatisfied with how he was being used in that series, he did not give a full and complete effort, which of course contributed to them being eliminated with it being such a close series. This obviously irritated Mavs fans who were likely already frustrated with how his time with the team went.
So of course, it would make sense that Porzingis is probably extra excited to face off with his former team in the Finals. Beating his old friends in Dallas would have to feel validating, knowing that his talents have been recognized and used better elsewhere. Do not be surprised if, after returning from injury, Kristaps puts together a monster performance in this series.