Joe Mazzulla Addresses Celtics' Status As Favorites Before Playoffs originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.Before the 2025-26 season tipped off, few NBA fans would have expected the Boston Celtics to enter the playoffs as a top championship contender.Boston trailed 15 teams when beginning the season as a -6000 long shot to win the NBA Finals. Joe Mazzulla's squad is no longer an underdog, as the Celtics are +160 favorites to win the Eastern Conference on FanDuel Sportsbook.Mazzulla was asked about that steep transformation before Sunday's Game 1 against the Philadelphia 76ers, courtesy of CLNS Media.

The head coach explained that the public perception hasn't affected his approach ahead of the postseason."Our messaging internally has been the same for however long I’ve been in the Celtics organization," Mazzulla said. "Just have to be consistent in the things that impact winning. Understand that there's highs, there's lows, and you stay consistent to the process of winning.

Stick together, and the results take care of itself."Preparing to potentially miss Jayson Tatum for the entire season, the Celtics substantially rearranged their roster by trading Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis. They also lost big men Al Horford and Luke Kornet through free agency, leading the public to perceive 2025-26 as a transition season.The Celtics had other plans, going 56-26 with an NBA-low 107.2 points allowed per game. Jaylen Brown averaged a career-high 28.7 points per contest, and the MVP candidate received plenty of support from Derrick White, Payton Pritchard and Neemias Queta.Tatum then returned sooner and better than anticipated, registering 21.8 points and 10.0 rebounds per game in an inspiring comeback.

Boston went 13-3 with the All-NBA star back on the court.As a result, the Celtics are favored over the top-seeded Detroit Pistons to make their third NBA Finals appearance of the last five years. That journey begins with a first-round matchup against the 76ers, who will open the best-of-seven series without Joel Embiid.Game 1 starts Sunday at 1 p.m. ET on ABC.More NBA: Joe Mazzulla Explains Celtics' New Identity To NBA Playoffs Audience