The Celtics believe they have a good team, but will it be good enough to compete with the elite of the Eastern Conference?

Adam HimmelsbachCeltics: 55-27, first in the East. Eastern Conference: Knicks over Celtics in seven. It might be a mistake to pick against the 76ers, but there are just too many players I don’t trust. The Celtics remain an elite regular-season team, but when rotations condense and stars shine in the playoffs, New York’s edge in firepower — led by the fearless Jalen Brunson — wins out. Get Court SenseKeep up with everything Celtics with news, commentary, and analysis from the Globe's all-star team. Arrives twice weekly. Enter EmailWestern Conference: Thunder over Spurs in 7. Victor Wembanyama will soon capture his first title, just not yet. Last season, the Spurs barely escaped against the Thunder despite injuries to OKC standouts Jalen Williams and Ajay Mitchell. A full season of Jared McCain will help, too. NBA Finals: Thunder over Knicks in 6. With all the focus on Wembanyama and Brunson, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander quietly wins his third consecutive MVP award and Oklahoma City captures its second title in three years behind a historically dominant defense. Gary WashburnCeltics: 49-33, fourth in the East. Eastern Conference: Raptors over Celtics in seven.

Celtics guard Payton Pritchard sometimes reflects on the winter of 2023, after his playing time dipped, his frustrations mushroomed, and his request to be traded was submitted. “It was probably a little delusional confidence that I have, but it’s from my work, the hours I put in, I believed I could help this team win and at a high level,” Pritchard said Sunday. “Now, many people didn’t believe it at the time or thought I was crazy, but I truly believed that. Obviously, things opened up for me, it worked out and I took advantage of it, and hopefully I continue to take advantage of it.”Pritchard stayed in Boston, helped the Celtics win the 2024 NBA title, was named Sixth Man of the Year in 2025, and this weekend officially signed a two-year, $44.2 million extension that will begin during the 2028-29 season. Everything has worked out for the 6-foot-1 guard. Get Court SenseKeep up with everything Celtics with news, commentary, and analysis from the Globe's all-star team. Arrives twice weekly.

Gary: I think the Celtics can be as good or better than last season, but they definitely lost a security blanket and a player guaranteed to get buckets and attack the rim. They’re going to need productive seasons from Mitchell Robinson and Paul George, both of whom have had injury and durability issues in past years. Get Court SenseKeep up with everything Celtics with news, commentary, and analysis from the Globe's all-star team. Arrives twice weekly. Enter EmailBut the real key is Derrick White having an offensive bounce-back season, and the group of Payton Pritchard, Hugo Gonzalez, Jordan Walsh, and Sam Hauser taking steps forward. The defense should improve with the presence of Robinson and Neemias Queta, and they can compete with teams like the Knicks and 76ers if several players perform better than last season. Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla is going to need big scoring years from guards Derrick White and Payton Pritchard to make up for the loss of Jaylen Brown. Barry Chin/Globe StaffAdam: The additions are nice, and the departures are notable, but in the end the Celtics will go as far as Jayson Tatum will take them.

Richard Riehle, a veteran character actor known for roles in hundreds of films and television shows, has died at the age of 78, according to Variety.

“I’m proud of the way that the guys that were in there finished the game with a critical drive, and that they showed up in good fashion. We were able to run the football, take the time and the clock down, and end the drive with some points.”Get Point AfterGet exclusive analysis and insight on the Patriots and the NFL, delivered to your inbox on weekdays during the season. Enter EmailVrabel credited offensive line coach Doug Marrone, as well as assistants Jason Houghtaling and Jonathan Decoster, with keeping the group ready to go. “They get them the reps that they think they need, whether that’s walkthrough reps or getting Walter Rouse ready, getting Matt [Pryor] ready,” Vrabel said. “Being able to get Caleb Lomu ready on both sides to be the swing tackle — play left one week, play right another. So, those are all real positive, and we’ll need their best efforts this week as we move forward.”The Patriots have put together a three-game winning streak despite injuries, including to wide receiver Romeo Doubs (shoulder), which landed him on injured reserve Monday. After a rocky start to the season, Drake Maye has 10 touchdown passes against one interception over the last three games.

The FBI and U.S. Postal Inspection Service are looking into the mailings, some of which included an unidentified powdery white substance.