The Boston Celtics have established themselves as formidable contenders in the NBA, consistently making deep playoff runs and qualifying for the Conference Finals. Led by Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, two talented players hungry for their first career titles, the Celtics are poised to have another successful season. At LVSB, we provide NBA picks for every game on our NBA predictions page.
During the offseason, the Celtics made some changes to their lineup after running with the same group for consecutive seasons. While Tatum and Brown will continue to anchor the team, the rest of the starting lineup will feature new faces, as Marcus Smart and Grant Williams were traded. The addition of Kristaps Porzingis brings a strong presence in the paint, but the overall team may take a step back from their previous success.
Despite any setbacks, the Celtics have high expectations for the season. Their ultimate goal is to win an NBA championship, but they also have their sights set on the inaugural in-season tournament crown. With a strong lineup surrounding Tatum and Brown, they are considered the favorites to win the title for the third straight season, with odds of +470. However, depth may be a concern later in the season due to offseason losses.
Looking at the Celtics’ schedule, they have a balanced distribution of games, with their longest road trip being 6 games towards the end of the season. The most challenging stretch occurs during the in-season tournament, where they play 5 games in 8 nights, including road games in the group stage. These pressure-filled games early in the season can help maintain the team’s intensity for the rest of the year.
In terms of betting odds, the Celtics are favored to win the championship and have the highest regular season win total of 54.5. However, it may not be wise to bet on them at such short odds. While they have been dominant in the Eastern Conference, securing the top seed has been elusive recently. The Celtics are overvalued in the market, and there are other strong contenders in the league.
In terms of the postseason, the Celtics have odds of +470 to win the championship and +210 to reach the Finals. Their success will heavily depend on the health and depth of their backcourt. If either Brown or Tatum gets injured, the Celtics could falter and become a mediocre team. Ultimately, despite their talent, the Celtics are likely to fall short once again.
In conclusion, while the Celtics have a solid lineup and talented players, they have struggled to win when it matters most. Their regular season performance is likely to be strong, but the distraction of the tournament combined with a thin bench may result in early losses. Without a solid third option, the Celtics will struggle against elite teams. They may reach the Eastern Conference Finals but are unlikely to advance further. It is best to be cautious when considering Celtics’ betting markets, with the exception of betting under 54.5 wins.
NBA Championship 2023-24 Odds
Odds source: Bovada Sportsbook
NBA Champion
Denver Nuggets +475
Boston Celtics +500
Phoenix Suns +650
Miami Heat +750
Milwaukee Bucks +750
Golden State Warriors +1000
Los Angeles Lakers +1000
Philadelphia 76ers +1800
Los Angeles Clippers +1800
Dallas Mavericks +2500
Memphis Grizzlies +2800
Cleveland Cavaliers +3000
Sacramento Kings +4000
New Orleans Pelicans +5000
New York Knicks +6000
Atlanta Hawks +8000
Minnesota Timberwolves +7000
Oklahoma City Thunder +8000
Toronto Raptors +10000
Brooklyn Nets +10000
Chicago Bulls +15000
San Antonio Spurs +20000
Portland Trail Blazers +25000
Utah Jazz +25000
Indiana Pacers +30000
Orlando Magic +30000
Houston Rockets +40000
Detroit Pistons +50000
Charlotte Hornets +50000
Washington Wizards +75000
