The Boston Celtics were third in the Eastern Conference with a record of 43-21 when the 2019-20 NBA season was suspended. Below, we look at the BetMGM betting odds of the Celtics winning the NBA Championship once play resumes with a 22-team format in Orlando, Fla., later this summer.
Lines last updated Tuesday, June 9 at 10:50 a.m. The Celtics currently have the fifth-best odds to win the NBA title this season, sitting at +2000 – behind the Los Angeles Lakers (+250). One prediction site gives the Celtics the second-best championship odds FiveThirtyEight is higher on Boston than most. Jayson Tatum and the Celtics are hoping to contend for an NBA title.
The Celtics were one of the better teams in the Eastern Conference when play was suspended, sitting 22 games over .500. They weren’t all that hot heading into the break, though. They were only 5-5 in their last 10 games and 7-6 overall in the division.
Against the spread, Boston was excellent. It was 38-23-3 ATS before play was halted, including a stellar 20-10-2 ATS mark on the road. Of course, there will be no home-court advantage or road games with everything being played in Orlando.
Boston was led by SF Jayson Tatum, who was tops on the team in scoring (23.6 PPG) and second in rebounding (7.1 RPG). PG Kemba Walker has been the key to getting the offense in motion, though, averaging 21.8 PPG and 4.9 assists. SG Jaylen Brown and PF Gordon Hayward also chipped in as the third- and fourth-leading scorers, respectively.
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Odds provided by BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Tuesday, June 9 at 10:50 a.m. ET.
The Celtics currently have the fifth-best odds to win the NBA title this season, sitting at +2000 – behind the Los Angeles Lakers (+250), Milwaukee Bucks (+280), Los Angeles Clippers (+325) and Houston Rockets (+1200). Boston benefits from playing in the much more favorable Eastern Conference, with the biggest hurdle being Milwaukee.
With everyone healthy, Boston has a good chance to win the championship in this modified season. They don’t have a superstar like Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo, but with four players who are capable of scoring 30 on any given night, the Celtics are as well-rounded as anyone.
The CELTICS are DEFINITELY WORTH A BET AT +2000.
To no surprise, the Celtics have the second-best odds to win the East, behind only the Bucks. Milwaukee is the overwhelming favorite at -159, with the Boston sitting at +750 – Toronto is also +750.
It’s a safer bet than taking the Celtics to win the NBA Championship, but the reward is far lower, paying 7.5 to 1. That’s because if Boston were to reach the Finals, it would likely have to play the Lakers, Clippers or Rockets – all among the best in the NBA.
I would PASS on taking the Celtics to win the East, and instead, go for the bigger payoff, putting the money on them to win the NBA Finals.
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