The Boston Celtics are surpassing expectations with conviction at the first-quarter mark of the NBA season. Instead of hovering in expected mediocrity, Boston has risen to a higher level, putting any lingering doubt of its playoff contention to rest.
Despite some inconsistency, the Celtics are 14-10, two games short of the top seed in the Eastern Conference. The lack of a true superstar to carry the offense is at the core of the occasionally erratic play, but the Celtics are quickly emerging as a top contender for home-court advantage in the improved East.
The recently published ESPN NBA Basketball Power Index playoff odds estimate a bright future for the feisty Celtics.