Why the Celtics are about to capture the NBA title but not our reverence

The end is near, the outcome essentially in stone.

It shouldn’t be long before the Celtics are crowned champions for the first time since 2008, the second time since 1986 and the 18th time overall, breaking a tie with their greatest rival (Lakers) for the most titles in NBA history.

The Celtics enter Game 4 of the NBA Finals on Friday night in Dallas (8:30 p.m. ET, ABC) with a 3-0 series lead. The other 156 teams in league history to win the first three games of a playoff series all won the final game of the series.

It is a culmination of the seven-year partnership of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, who each reached the Eastern Conference Finals as rookies, have faced heartbreaking endings nearly every season of their careers and have successfully avoided the infighting and jealousy that has doomed so many young and dynamic duos in league history.