Boston Celtics: How Many Eastern Conference Finals Appearances Does the Iconic Franchise Have?
When you think of sustained success in the history of the NBA, the first two teams that immediately come to mind are the Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers. Both franchises are tied for the most championships in NBA history with 17, while no other franchise has won more than six.
There hasn’t been a more consistent team in the Eastern Conference than the Celtics over the last 50 years. They’ve won a conference-best six titles since the 1970 merger, and they just punched their ticket to a fourth Eastern Conference Finals appearance in the last six years.
So, how many times have the Celtics reached the Eastern Conference Finals, and what is their record in those series?
How many Eastern Conference Finals appearances do the Celtics have?
Stop me if you’ve heard this before: The Boston Celtics are headed back to the Eastern Conference Finals.
It’s not much of a surprise when it happens anymore. The Celtics have now reached four Eastern Conference Finals in the last six years, and they’ve been to the ECF 21 times since the 1970 merger. Boston has been involved in 39.6% of the ECF series over that span.
Since 1970, the Celtics have reached the NBA Finals nine times and have won six titles. Boston is currently on its worst losing streak in the ECF in team history, though, as they’ve failed to reach the NBA Finals in its last four appearances.
Here’s the full list of the franchise’s ECF appearances since the 1970 merger:
| Year | Opponent | Result |
| 2022 | Miami Heat | TBD |
| 2020 | Miami Heat | Lost |
| 2018 | Cleveland Cavaliers | Lost |
| 2017 | Cleveland Cavaliers | Lost |
| 2012 | Miami Heat | Lost |
| 2010 | Orlando Magic | Won (Lost Finals) |
| 2008 | Detroit Pistons | Won (Won Finals) |
| 2002 | New Jersey Nets | Lost |
| 1988 | Detroit Pistons | Lost |
| 1987 | Detroit Pistons | Won (Lost Finals) |
| 1986 | Milwaukee Bucks | Won (Won Finals) |
| 1985 | Philadelphia 76ers | Won (Lost Finals) |
| 1984 | Milwaukee Bucks | Won (Won Finals) |
| 1982 | Philadelphia 76ers | Lost |
| 1981 | Philadelphia 76ers | Won (Won Finals) |
| 1980 | Philadelphia 76ers | Lost |
| 1976 | Cleveland Cavaliers | Won (Won Finals) |
| 1975 | Washington Bullets | Lost |
| 1974 | New York Knicks | Won (Won Finals) |
| 1973 | New York Knicks | Lost |
| 1972 | New York Knicks | Lost |
Before 1970, the Celtics reached 16 Eastern Division Finals and won 11 championships, including nine in a row from 1959-1966. An NBA title this season would be their first since 2008.
Can the Celtics win championship No. 18 this year?
After knocking off the Brooklyn Nets and the reigning champion Milwaukee Bucks in the first two rounds of the playoffs, the Celtics have to be considered the favorites to win the title in 2022. The Las Vegas odds don’t agree with me (Warriors +130, Celtics +200), but Boston is the most complete team remaining in these playoffs. If they finish the job, they’ll officially pass the Lakers as the kings of the NBA with 18 championships.
The Celtics are -175 favorites to beat the Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals, and the way they’re playing, I’d be surprised if they don’t.
All stats courtesy of Basketball Reference.
Like Sportscasting on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter @sportscasting19.
