It would be naive to think the Celtics are completely absolved from any turbulence in the NBA postseason. The Eastern Conference still has viable contenders (Milwaukee, New York, Cleveland). The Western Conference has arguably even more, including two young teams (Minnesota, Oklahoma City), the NBA defending champions (Denver), and a handful of teams that have a shot if they can stay healthy (Clippers, Suns, Pelicans, Lakers, Warriors). And no matter how much talent, chemistry and depth the Celtics have, their fortunes would change with any ill-timed injury to one or more of their stars.

Put away those necessary caveats aside for a moment. The NBA landscape looks clear even amid the uncertainty on how the exact playoff seeding will sort out in the final 1 ½ months of the regular season. When taking all things into account, Boston appears the predominant favorite to win this year’s NBA championship.

The Celtics have so many reasons to think they can set an NBA record for most championships in franchise history (17), which would break a tie with the Lakers and mark their first Larry O’Brien trophy since defeating their hated rival in 2008. The reasons go beyond Boston (46-12) entering Friday’s game against the Dallas Mavericks (34-25) with a 7 ½ lead for first place in the Eastern Conference.

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The most important: Tatum has played the best basketball of his seven-year NBA career.

He has averaged 27.0 points on 47.5% shooting along with 8.5 rebounds and 4.9 assists, numbers that reveal both the growth and nuance behind his performances. He has averaged nearly three fewer points and two fewer shots per game compared to last season, which exposes his willingness to reduce his isolation-heavy style for the sake of team balances. He has stayed on track to finish with a career-high in assists, which shows that the Celtics have improved their depth to enable Tatum to improve as a playmaker.