When a new NBA season begins, every team is undefeated, and, at least mathematically speaking, a title contender as well. But for fans of the Boston Celtics, such slights of hand are not going to be enough to slake the thirst for Banner 18 raging in the gullets of Bostonians and their ilk.
But the consensus seems to be that Boston is as well-prepared to do the deed as any team in the league next season, with the Milwaukee Bucks and Denver Nuggets virtual co-favorites to win it all. When the dust settles on the 2023 NBA Finals, we will have our answer, but in the meantime, it is the duty of the league's press corp to sort fact from fiction regarding the season ahead.
To such an end, the hosts of the CLNS Media "Celtics Lab" podcast linked up with USA TODAY's Jeff Zilgitt to do exactly that, from the preseason tilts we have seen thus far all the way on to the future of the league beyond this season and the next.
Brace yourself for a few spicy takes plus plenty of agreement regarding this tea's potential -- no matter how it pans out, the NBA's 2023-24 season already looks like the wildest of rides.
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Separating fact from fiction in Boston's 2023-24 campaign with Jeff Zilgitt

On Celtics Lab, we go deep into the details, finding compelling narratives, data, stories and interviews you won't find anywhere else.

Sports

Basketball

The Boston Celtics beat the Indiana Pacers 105-102 in Game 4 of their 2024 Eastern Conference finals, sweeping the Pacers to advance to the 2024 NBA Finals as they await to see which of the Dallas Mavericks and Minnesota Timberwolves Western Conference finals series.
The Celtics will have a 10-day gap between the final buzzer and the start of the finals, plenty of time for injured Boston big man Kristaps Porzingis to finish healing up, and veteran forward Al Horford to get a little rest. Boston earned their Bob Cousy award for their efforts, and Jaylen Brown the Larry Bird Eastern Conference finals Most Valuable Player award as well.
We'll have plenty of time to dive deep into whichever club (probably Dallas) the Celtics will play for the 2024 NBA title, but for today, join the CLNS Media "Celtics Lab" podcast hosts as they revel in the Game 4 win -- and pay their respects to Bill Walton's passing -- rest in peace.
The Celtics Lab podcast is brought to you by Prize Picks and Gametime.
If you enjoy this pod, check out the "How Bout Them Celtics," "First to the Floor," and the many other New England sports podcasts available on the CLNS Media network.
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On Boston beating Indiana to advance to the finals, and Bill Walton's passing

The Boston Celtics defeated the Indiana Pacers 126-110 in Game 2 of the NBA's 2024 Eastern Conference finals thanks to a career playoff-high matching 40 points from Jaylen Brown. But it came at the expense of backup big man Luke Kornet's wrist being sprained on a team already thin at center; will Boston be okay with Kornet on the bench?.
On the other side of the court, however, we saw Pacers star Tyrese Halliburton leave the game injured in the second half with what initially appeared to be a re-aggravation of the hamstring injury that kept him out for significant time this season. Will he be able to play when the series shifts pack to Indiana for Game 3, and if not, is a sweep incoming?
The hosts of the CLNS Media "Celtics Lab" podcast reacted to the win postgame from the Garden (excuse the Wi-Fi issues, please), seeing some small ball looks that paid off -- and defensive lapses that did not. 
The Celtics Lab podcast is brought to you by Prize Picks and Gametime.
If you enjoy this pod, check out the "How Bout Them Celtics," "First to the Floor," and the many other New England sports podcasts available on the CLNS Media network.
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Breaking down Boston's Game 2 win vs. the Pacers, what to expect in Game 3

Game 1 of the Boston Celtics Eastern Conference finals series with the Indiana Pacers is in the books, and the Celtics have a 1-0 series lead with their 133-128 win. 
But it took overtime to pull it off, and Boston digging deep with a few lucky breaks to pull out the win, a few minor mistakes over the course of the contest nearly costing them the win in their own arena of TD Garden (and home court advantage with it). Perhaps having been burned so many times before in similar situations helped them find the necessary gear, but there are some serious concerns in need of a fix for Boston to advance to the 2024 NBA Finals.
How will they manage to stay afloat in their frontcourt rotation with Kristaps Porzingis still several games away from a return? Can they keep using drop coverage so liberally? And what players off their bench can make an impact in this series?
The hosts of the CLNS Media "Celtics Lab" podcast linked up with Kory Waldron, the host of the "Full Access Hoops" podcast to break down what we saw in Game 1 and what we expect in Game 2. Make sure you check it out to get up to speed on all things East finals.
The Celtics Lab podcast is brought to you by Prize Picks and Gametime.
If you enjoy this pod, check out the "How Bout Them Celtics," "First to the Floor," and the many other New England sports podcasts available on the CLNS Media network. Listen to the "Celtics Lab" podcast on:
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On Boston escaping Indy with a Game 1 win, what's coming in Game 2 with Kory Waldron

The Boston Celtics have defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 113-98 in Game 5 of their 2024 Eastern Conference semifinals series to advance to the NBA's 2024 Eastern Conference finals. It came via a massive game from veteran Boston big man Al Horford, and it also saw perhaps the best postseason play from star Celtics forward Jayson Tatum as well.
As an added bonus, the team will get a bit of rest while they wait to learn their opponent in the next round from the New York Knicks - Indiana Pacers series. How do we feel about the East semis victory? Do we have any lingering concerns for the next round? When do we think Kristaps Porzingis will return to the court? Who will Boston play, and who do we want them to play?
The hosts of the "Celtics Lab" podcast sat down after the win to talk about all of the above. Take a look at the clip embedded below to hear what they had to say about the Al Horford game, the Cavs series, and what comes next.
The Celtics Lab podcast is brought to you by Prize Picks and Gametime.
If you enjoy this pod, check out the "How Bout Them Celtics," "First to the Floor," and the many other New England sports podcasts available on the CLNS Media network.
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Closing out the Cavs in the East semis and a look ahead to the East finals

The Boston Celtics have a commanding 3-1 series lead vs. the Cleveland Cavaliers in their East semis second round series. But there were moments in the contest where old Celtics habits crept back in and put the game's outcome in doubt, with fans of the team predictably melting down on social media in response to those mistakes.
Do we need to worry about more of the same should Boston advance? And why is this still happening on some nights? Shouldn't they be better on nights when key players like Donovan Mitchell aren't available? And who taught Derrick White how to be a master of dad jokes?
If you're wondering why that last question came up, it's because the hosts of the CLNS Media "Celtics Lab" podcast connected with Derrick White's dad, Richard White, to enlist his help in killing bad narratives (and getting to the bottom of the best humor out there, at least in our opinion). We get into the Game 4 win and what might be coming down the pike in future games and rounds so be sure to check it out!
The Celtics Lab podcast is brought to you by Prize Picks and Gametime.
If you enjoy this pod, check out the "How Bout Them Celtics," "First to the Floor," and the many other New England sports podcasts available on the CLNS Media network.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Separating fact from fiction in Boston's 2023-24 campaign with Jeff Zilgitt

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