The NBA playoffs are here, and the battle for Eastern Conference supremacy is wide open. While four teams—the Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, New York Knicks, and Detroit Pistons—enter with legitimate hopes, one former champion is putting his faith in a familiar squad.

Former Celtics big man and NBA champion Kendrick Perkins has made his pick, and it aligns with the sportsbooks: he's backing Boston to emerge from the East. On "The Pat McAfee Show," Perkins laid out a compelling case for his old team.

"I have the Boston Celtics coming out of the East. They should be the favorites," Perkins stated. He pointed directly to the star power of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, calling them "the best duo in the Eastern Conference."

Perkins emphasized that Boston's core possesses invaluable playoff experience from their recent Finals runs. He also highlighted a crucial, unselfish dynamic: Tatum's seamless return from an Achilles injury and his acceptance of a role that supports Brown's lead. "Jayson Tatum has come back and accepted his role for this year as the Robin to JB as the Batman," Perkins noted, praising Tatum's all-around impact.

That impact has been tangible. With Tatum back on the court, the Celtics closed the season strong, winning 13 of their final 16 games. For Perkins, this combination of elite talent, championship pedigree, and selfless structure makes Boston the team to beat. "They have real structure, and they are the favorites, in my opinion, to come out of the Eastern Conference," he concluded.