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BOSTON (AP) — The Boston Celtics are giving themselves yet another probability to have fun their newest NBA championship earlier than they flip their consideration to a repeat.

The league’s most adorned franchise will increase its 18th banner to the TD Backyard rafters Tuesday night time earlier than the season opener towards the New York Knicks (7:30 ET, TNT). Gamers will even obtain their championship rings within the pregame ceremony.

“This can be a nice accomplishment, that we get to do that. Be one hell of an evening,” guard Payton Pritchard stated after observe Monday. “However then once more, we talked about we’ve received to do it once more. We’ve received to reset that focus.

“We get the rings, after which we wish to exit and show that we’re able to make one other assertion.”

The Celtics cruised by the NBA common season final 12 months — ending with the very best file within the Jap Convention by 14 video games — after which went 16-3 within the playoffs. Led by Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, they’re bringing again their whole beginning lineup and most of their bench, and are the favorites to win all of it once more.

Coach Joe Mazzulla has stated he doesn’t really feel any strain to repeat.

“We’re all going to be lifeless quickly, and it actually doesn’t matter anymore. So there’s zero strain,” he stated. “You will have a possibility to hold the group ahead, to double down on the custom and historical past of what this group has. And what else would you anticipate than somebody anticipating you to win on a regular basis?

“It’s not strain,” he informed reporters on the group’s observe facility. “There’s nothing anybody on this circle can do to me that’s gonna influence my id and who I’m as an individual or a coach. We’re both gonna win or we’re not, and 40 years from now, none of you’re invited to my funeral and that’s it.”

The Celtics gained 16 NBA titles from 1957-86, with Invoice Russell claiming 11 in 13 years. The Seventies groups of Dave Cowens and John Havlicek gained a pair, and the Massive Three of Larry Chicken, Robert Parish and Kevin McHale gained three extra within the Eighties.

When Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen gained all of it in 2008, they ended the franchise’s longest-ever title drought. They made it again to the NBA Finals two years later, however misplaced to the Lakers. (The interval from 2008-24 was the second-longest drought.)

Pritchard stated that to be thought-about among the many Celtics greats they might want to win one other.

“Lots of people can do it as soon as,” Pritchard stated. “I do know a championship’s arduous, however there’s lots of people who’ve gained one. However successful it a number of occasions, creating nearly like a dynasty, that’s arduous to do. In order that’s greatness, and that’s one thing we’re attempting to realize.”

The hunt begins towards the Knicks, who’ve positioned themselves as Boston’s high competitors within the East after buying Karl-Anthony Cities and Mikal Bridges over the summer season.

Mazzulla stated he thinks his group can be prepared.

“I belief who they’re. I believe they’ve an understanding of each ‘That is what we completed’ and ‘That is what we’re attempting to do’” the coach stated. “All of the intangibles that go into successful ought to carry over from one season to a different season.”

“It’s important to admire it,” he stated. “However you’ve received to know what received you there and should you overlook what received you there, you’ll by no means get again.”