For the primary time this season, the NBA has an odds-on championship favourite – the Boston Celtics.
Within the Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown period, Boston have made seven consecutive postseason appearances – with the earlier six together with one journey to the NBA Finals and 4 to the Jap Convention Finals.
At this stage, the Celtics are anticipated to win and falling brief is solely not an choice. Following Tuesday’s Sport 1 blowout win over the Cleveland Cavaliers to open the second spherical, oddsmakers lower Boston’s title odds to -120.
For many who are unfamiliar with betting markets, this implies the Celtics have an implied likelihood of 55% to land the championship – making that consequence thought of greater than doubtless.
Since dropping Sport 2 within the first spherical collection in opposition to Miami, Boston have gained 4 straight blowouts and Joe Mazzulla’s well-oiled unit are undoubtedly probably the most feared aspect within the playoffs.
Boston have now recorded probably the most 25-point wins in a single season in NBA historical past (common season & playoffs) with 19 – and there’s each likelihood that quantity continues to develop.
The Celtics have scored 659 playoff factors to this point while permitting simply 556 – outscoring their opponents by over 100 and this stage of dominance has led to loads of money being wagered of their favor.
Jaylen Brown and Derrick White cleared the path because the @celtics soar out to a 1-0 collection lead! ☘️
JB: 32 PTS (12-18 FGM), 4 3PM, 6 REBD-White: 25 PTS, 7 3PM, 5 AST#NBAPlayoffs introduced by Google Pixel pic.twitter.com/qdlqseDCk7
— NBA (@NBA) Might 8, 2024
Tatum is seeing the ground higher than he ever has in his profession, studying defenses and enjoying out of double and triple phrases with perfection. His capturing numbers depart a bit to be desired however we are able to anticipate that to enhance with rhythm.
Derrick White is having one of many hottest postseasons in Celtics historical past up to now – his 28 made threes rank first over a six-game span in franchise historical past while recording 22.8 factors per recreation.
Brown is extensively considered one of many league’s finest two-way stars and his latest performances have completed all the pieces to again that up – main the crew in scoring on nice effectivity.
With the likes of Al Horford, Payton Pritchard, Sam Hauser and Luke Kornet enjoying their respective roles in spectacular model – it’s laborious to look previous the Celtics within the race for the championship.
Kristaps Porzingis suffered an premature damage in Sport 4 in opposition to Miami however he’s anticipated to return for the Convention Finals and Boston appear to be coping simply advantageous with out him.
Town of Boston will really feel their time within the solar is lastly right here after years of heartache, with the Celtics in pole place to return to the head of basketball in America.
