NBA Legends Explain Why Celtics Will Win Eastern Conference

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The NBA Eastern Conference has been weird this year and remains up for grabs. Fortunately for the Boston Celtics, they're considered the betting favorites now that Jayson Tatum is back.

Part of the reason why is that they're the only battle-tested group in the East with championship experience. The Detroit Pistons are too young, while the New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers haven't reached the NBA Finals in years.

Meanwhile, the Celtics have tons of playoff experience. Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum have been to five Eastern Conference Finals together, winning two.

Accordingly, NBA Hall of Famers Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady expect Boston to be the last team standing in the East.

"I feel Boston is coming out of the East, and I do think they can win a championship," McGrady said this week on his "Cousins" podcast with Carter. "My only team that I have faith in in the East to win a championship is the Boston Celtics."

Carter agreed.

"Proven. Been there. You have not one, but two guys who can lead their team. MVP candidate frontrunner," Carter said. "And you have a system that understands who they are...so they don't have to change up... And I think they have a lot of complementary guys."

McGrady also explained why he now considers the Celtics viable championship contenders.

"Tatum coming back, looking really good. He looks like he's not hesitant. He's playing aggressive basketball," McGrady said. "By the time he gets to the playoffs, I think we're gonna be looking at Tatum like, boy, he looks like his old self."

Tatum hasn't fully looked like his old self yet, but there have been glimpses. If he can round into form by the time the postseason starts next month, there's no reason Boston can't win the East and perhaps the Finals.

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