The Boston Celtics head into the 2025 NBA Playoffs hoping to repeat as NBA Champions. Last year, they went 16-3 on their way to their 18th title. Even though they are the defending champions, there will be some challenges along the way to get out of the Eastern Conference.
Among said challenges are the Cleveland Cavaliers, who finished the season ahead of Boston in the standings with a record of 64-18. They split their season series with the Celtics, 2-2.
As impressive as the Cavaliers have been, former NBA star and Celtics alum Blake Griffin believes in his former team.
"Honestly, man, East for me is easy. I think it's Boston. I think Cleveland has had a great year, but Boston is like, they're unbelievable," Griffin said.
Griffin was an NBA star from pretty much the start, making six All-Star teams and five All-NBA teams. By the time he played for the Celtics, Griffin was no longer that player, but he was an emergency backup center anytime the Celtics rested Al Horford.
The Cavaliers should not be taken lightly, but the Celtics have a huge edge in terms of experience. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown have been to five Eastern Conference Finals and two NBA Finals together. After LeBron James left in 2018, the Cavaliers have made the playoffs twice before this season, with the furthest they've gone being the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
He started in 16 of the 41 games he played in Boston and averaged 4.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.5 assists.
