Here are five historical stats that favor the Celtics in the NBA Finals
– *The 40/20 Rule*: The Celtics fit the 40/20 rule, which states that to win an NBA title, teams must win their 40th game before they lose their 20th game. Over the past 44 years, all but three champions have followed the 40/20 rule. The Celtics posted a 64-18 record in the regular season and have a 12-2 record in the playoffs, giving them a combined 76-20 record.
– *Top 4 Net Rating of All Time*: The Celtics’ 11.6 net rating is the fourth-highest of all time. Only the 1996, 1997 Bulls, and the 2017 Warriors have higher net ratings. Excluding the Celtics, eight out of the top 10 teams with the highest net rating went on to win a championship.
– *Top 5 Offense and Defense*: Since 1997, teams with a top-five offense and a top-five defense have a 7-2 record in the NBA finals. The Celtics had the top-ranked offense and the second-ranked defense. They join the 2015 and 2017 Warriors as the only teams to make the NBA finals with a top-three offense and defense.
– *Teams With Less Than 20 Losses*: In addition to the 40/20 rule, teams with 20 losses heading into the finals have an impressive record. Seven out of these eight teams have won the title. The lone exception is the 2016 Warriors.
– *Defense Wins Championships*: The Celtics’ elite defense gives them an advantage. The Mavs had the 18th-ranked defense this season. Notably, the 2001 Lakers were the only team to win a championship with a defense ranked lower than 18th; they ranked 22nd on the season. Only three teams have ever won a title without having a top-ten defense.
