ESPN Expert Makes Bold Celtics Prediction Before New Season

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Expectations surrounding the Boston Celtics have changed dramatically. Boston finished second in the Eastern Conference last season, but president of basketball operations Brad Stevens subsequently traded Jaylen Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers in a blockbuster that brought Paul George to the Celtics.

The move left Boston with an older, riskier co-star alongside Jayson Tatum. It also helped Philadelphia build a potentially dominant roster featuring Brown and LeBron James.

ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, however, isn’t ready to write off the Celtics. Windhorst believes Boston could deliver a surprisingly strong regular season and potentially finish ahead of the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference standings.

“I think the Celtics, for various reasons, are primed to have a good regular season,” Windhorst said on “The Hoop Collective” podcast.

That doesn’t mean Windhorst views Boston as an obvious championship favorite. His prediction depends heavily on George staying available and giving the Celtics the elite perimeter shooting they need.

George is coming off a turbulent season that included a 25-game suspension. He still showed flashes of being a highly effective offensive weapon, particularly when operating as a floor-spacing forward rather than carrying an entire offense.

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“If Paul George shoots 42 percent on 3’s, which is what he shot after he came back last year from the suspension, and fills that 3-and-D role, probably taking seven-plus 3’s a game, if that’s what that guy does, I’m ready to go,” Windhorst said.

That version of George would be an excellent fit beside Tatum.

Boston doesn’t necessarily need the nine-time All-Star to recreate the peak years of his career. The Celtics need him to defend, stretch the floor and punish opponents for loading up on Tatum. Unfortunately for Boston, there is no guarantee George’s body will cooperate.

“There’s no way to predict what Paul George is going to do,” Windhorst said. “He actually shot the hell out of the ball in the playoffs last year. He looked really good, but that doesn’t mean anything. I have no idea how he’s gonna hold up.”

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Windhorst’s Celtics prediction also is connected to his skepticism about New York’s health. The Knicks enjoyed relatively good injury luck last season. Windhorst believes that could change, while Boston could receive more regular-season availability from Tatum and George.

“Part of what I’m pricing with the Knicks is, I think, just by the law of averages, I think they probably won’t be as healthy this year,” Windhorst said. “Not saying that Boston’s gonna be a better team. And I think Boston might be healthier. Tatum will play more games, hopefully.”

It’s a prediction built on projection, not certainty.

Boston’s margin for error has shrunk considerably since trading Brown. George’s shooting could make the gamble look brilliant, but another injury-plagued season could expose it quickly.

Windhorst isn’t declaring the Celtics superior to the Knicks or Philadelphia. He is predicting they could be better than many people expect.

For a Boston team suddenly being treated like an Eastern Conference afterthought, that might be all the motivation it needs.

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