There's never been an era in NBA history where it’s been harder to win back-to-back titles.

Boston will get its championship rings on Oct. 22, and the rival New York Knicks will be there for the celebration.

The Boston Celtics have celebrated their 18th NBA championship with the customary duck boat parade through the city.

The Celtics are prohibitive favorites to win Thursday’s Game 1 of the NBA Finals and odds are on Boston to hoist what would be its record 18th championship banner.

Kyrie Irving returning to Boston.

There’s a 64-win team in Boston that ran away with the league’s best record.

The Milwaukee Bucks and Celtics combined for a record-low two free throw attempts Tuesday night, when the Celtics became the first team in NBA history to not shoot one.

The Miami Heat got good injury news on Monday.

Fans of the Miami Heat converged on the Kaseya Center for a watch party on Monday night.

For the Golden State Warriors, it’s a drive for five, as in five championships in nine years.

The NBA regular season had no shortage of moments that stood out.

The Celtics were supposed to enter the preseason as one of the favorites to emerge from the Eastern Conference on the heels of their surprise run to the NBA Finals last season under rookie head coach Ime Udoka.

Game 1 showed that whoever wins the 1-on-1 scoring battle between Memphis’ Ja Morant and Stephen Curry of the Warriors doesn’t mean their team will win the game or their Western Conference semifinal.

The Denver Nuggets have acquired veteran wing player Bryn Forbes from San Antonio as part of a three-team trade that also included Boston.

Milwaukee’s roster transformation started after losing to Miami in last season’s NBA playoffs, one that made the Bucks give themselves a critical look.

The NBA’s new play-in tournament begins Tuesday night, and it took until the 146th and final day of this compressed season to determine who is going where for the playoffs.

Kevin Durant missed his third straight game against Boston after Nets coach Steve Nash said the forward’s bruised left thigh hadn’t healed enough to play.

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Break out the pots and pans: The Miami Heat are going back to the NBA Finals. The Heat outmuscled the Boston Celtics, 125-113, in Game 6 on Sunday night, clinching their sixth trip to the league’s championship series in franchise history. The entire Finals series will be broadcast on Local 10. “That’s a great storyline, right?” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said on ESPN when asked about facing James in the Finals. “Can you let us enjoy this now for a little bit?”Send your celebratory Heat fan photos to Share@local10.com

Tatum had 31 points and 10 rebounds, Jaylen Brown added 28 points and the Celtics shook off a slow first half to top the Miami Heat 121-108 in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals and stave off elimination. “Our deal was to come out and play, come out and compete, give it our best shot and I thought we played pretty well in the second half," Stevens said. Kemba Walker scored 15 points, Marcus Smart had a 12-point, eight-rebound, eight-assist night and Gordon Hayward scored 10 for the Celtics. “Boston played great in that second half," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. The Heat scored the first basket of the third quarter.

MIAMI – The last time the Miami Heat made it to the NBA Finals, eager crowds with pots and pans and homemade signs gathered in the streets near downtown Miami, Westchester, and Hialeah. Some fans have said they plan to stay at home with family and bang their cookware in the privacy of their own house. Brian Nunez, a Heat fan originally from New York, said he knows sports bars and parties are out of the question. “Exclusive VIP,” he joked, “because the Miami Heat is the best team right now.”Miami Heat fans prepare to celebrate on FridayHow will you be celebrating the Heat’s victory against the Celtics? Send us your Miami Heat fan pictures at Share@Local10.com.

EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS: Heat lead series 3-1GAME 5: Friday, 8:30 p.m., ESPN, Lake Buena Vista, Fla.LINE: Celtics -3; over/under is 214BOTTOM LINE: The Miami Heat look to clinch the series over the Boston Celtics in game five of the Eastern Conference finals. Miami is fifth in the Eastern Conference scoring 112 points per game and is shooting 46.8%. Jimmy Butler leads the Heat averaging 6.0 assists while scoring 19.9 points per game. DURING THE PLAYOFFS: Celtics: Averaging 108.3 points, 45.1 rebounds, 22.0 assists, 6.7 steals and 5.1 blocks per game while shooting 45.6% from the field. Heat: Averaging 111.5 points, 43.5 rebounds, 24.6 assists, 7.9 steals and 4.2 blocks per game while shooting 45.2% from the field.

EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS GAME 4: Lake Buena Vista, Florida; Wednesday, 8:30 p.m., ESPNLINE: Celtics -3; over/under is 210.5BOTTOM LINE: The Miami Heat take on the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference finals with a 2-1 lead in the series. The Celtics have gone 30-13 against Eastern Conference opponents. TOP PERFORMERS: Jimmy Butler leads the Heat with 6.0 assists, and scores 19.9 points per game. DURING THE PLAYOFFS: Heat: Averaging 111.5 points, 43.8 rebounds, 25.0 assists, 7.8 steals and 4.4 blocks per game while shooting 45.4% from the field. Celtics: Averaging 108.3 points, 45.1 rebounds, 21.6 assists, 6.9 steals and 5.1 blocks per game while shooting 45.5% from the field.

MIAMI – Miami Heat all-star center Bam Adebayo is focused on getting the Heat past the Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals, but Adebayo is also making sure to help give back to those in need as kids head back to school. Bam is hosting his 2nd annual Back to School drive this week, but this year’s event will be held virtually. Those two communities are near and dear to his heart and a big part of his BBB (Bam, Books and Brotherhood) Foundation. As part of his donations of meals to local families in Miami, Adebayo has teamed up with different foundations that focus on helping single parent homes. Adebayo was raised by his mom, Marilyn, and often credits her love and support as the reason for his success.

ORLANDO – The Miami Heat are looking to bounce back from their first loss of this year’s Eastern Conference Finals. “Without giving too much away, it’s a chess match,” forward Jae Crowder said. “This is two good teams going head-to-head, this is two good coaches going head-to-head.”Crowder said the game is about adjustments, but he did not want to give any specific plans away. “Our spirit is right, our head is right, our energy is there, so I think we’re responding the right way,” he said. Spoelstra said if the team doesn’t have the right focus, the game can turn on the team quickly like it did Saturday night.

ORLANDO – The Miami Heat continue getting ready for the Eastern Conference Finals. The Heat and the Celtics will meet up on Tuesday night in Game 1. Bam Adebayo said that the Heat need to make sure to win individual matchups against the Celtics. Adebayo referred to that type of defense as “guard your yard.”Head coach Erik Spoelstra said, “By the time you get to the Conference Finals you can’t hide. Adebayo said “On game days I have to text her or talk to her or something.

PHILADELPHIA The next coach of the Philadelphia 76ers can count on having Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons. I would love to see this group with Ben Simmons, but I dont want to make any excuses. The new coach also has got to find that balance on how to push these All-Star players to that next stage. You have a great mix of veteran players, young players learning how to win in this game. Ive grown as a leader and Ive grown as a general manager, Brand said.