Predicting where the Pacers will finish in the Eastern Conference next season

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Jun 21, 2024; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) holds the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy during the 2024 NBA Championship parade in Boston. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports / Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports

1. Boston Celtics

The Boston Celtics were the most dominant team in the entire NBA last season. They ended the 2023-24 season with a league-best 64-18 record. Additionally, they were dominant in the postseason as well, going 16-3 en route to their NBA-record 18th championship. Even more impressive is that they were without star Kristaps Porzingis for 14 games, including the entire series against the Pacers.

While the Celtics will likely be without Porzingis to begin next season due to his leg injury, the Celtics are still the team to beat in the NBA. They are dominant on both sides of the ball. Additionally, they are an elite rebounding team with solid depth and good coaching.

Led by their duo of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, the Celtics are in a good position to repeat as champions and remain in title contention for a long time.

This offseason, the Celtics signed Tatum, Derrick White, and Sam Hauser to long-term contract extensions. Additionally, they brought back Luke Kornet, Xavier Tillman, and Neemias Queta in free agency. The only two players from last year's championship team not on the roster are Svi Mykhailiuk (signed with the Utah Jazz) and former Pacers wing Oshae Brissett (still unsigned).

Until proven otherwise, the Celtics have the best roster in the NBA and are the team to beat next season.

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