“Boston may choose a slightly lighter pace, with a minor dip from last year’s win total (64),” he suggests. “Don’t mistake that for weakness; the same team that won the title in 2023-24 should win again.”

Still, there are more things than last year’s record and result to consider when looking ahead to the 2024-25 regular season and the playoffs beyond it, as the B/R analyst notes. “If there’s a weakness, it’s at center, with Kristaps Porzingis still recovering from a leg/foot injury,” writes Pincus. “The Celtics won’t overload Al Horford, but big-man depth shouldn’t be a significant issue atop the East.”

And as far as what this will mean in the 2025 postseason goes, we think Celtics fans will be pleased with his prognosis. “Repeat champion” is the result Pincus has in mind for Boston.