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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 Japanese Convention Finals.
At this stage, the Celtics are anticipated to win and falling brief is just not an choice. Following Tuesday’s Recreation 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 end result thought of greater than seemingly.
Since dropping Recreation 2 within the first spherical collection towards Miami, Boston have received 4 straight blowouts and Joe Mazzulla’s well-oiled unit are undoubtedly probably the most feared facet 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 probability that quantity continues to develop.
The Celtics have scored 659 playoff factors up to now 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 paved the way because the @celtics leap out to a 1-0 collection lead!
JB: 32 PTS (12-18 FGM), 4 3PM, 6 REB
D-White: 25 PTS, 7 3PM, 5 AST#NBAPlayoffs offered by Google Pixel pic.twitter.com/qdlqseDCk7— NBA (@NBA) May 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 go away a bit to be desired however we are able to count on that to enhance with rhythm.
Derrick White is having one of many hottest postseasons in Celtics historical past to this point – 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 every little thing 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 Recreation 4 towards Miami however he’s anticipated to return for the Convention Finals and Boston appear to be coping simply high-quality with out him.
The 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 top of basketball in America.
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