The Celtics are off to a shaky start this season. In fact, they're currently holding an 11-10 overall record, which is good for the No. 3 spot in the Atlantic Division Standings. Despite their early struggles, former Celtics head coach Doc Rivers still believes the Eastern Conference championship will run through Boston.

Prior to the start of this season, most experts and analysts had already written the Celtics in as a favorite to win the East. Now, though, those same experts are raising a curious eyebrow.

So, are the Celtics truly still the team to beat in the East? Rivers, who claimed his first championship with Boston in 2008, thinks so, but he also thinks there are several other teams throughout the conference that are playing well.

“Your thoughts,” Skip Bayless said to Doc Rivers during a recent interview with Uninterrupted. “Who looks like they'll come out of the Eastern Conference?”

“The East is tough,” Rivers replied. “I still think Boston is the favorite, but Toronto is right there — they really are. Milwaukee is there (too). I think there are some good teams in the East right now. Philadelphia is there too, as they have a closer now. Bringing in Jimmy (Butler), now they now have a closer, and that's going to make them tough.”

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To be fair, the Celtics have been dealing with a few injuries through the early stages of this season, including one that kept Gordon Hayward on the sidelines until recently. If the team can stay healthy in the coming months, there is a good chance they'll be right back at the top.

The Celtics will be back in action on Friday night, as they're scheduled to host the Cleveland Cavaliers. Tip-off inside TD Garden is set for 7:00 p.m. EST.