Celtics Odds to Win Championship Skyrocket Following Hot Streak

The Boston Celtics came into the new year 17-19. While their net rating wasn’t terrible – and was actually above average – the Celtics couldn’t seem to find wins. 

Since then, they’ve gone 29-9 and have skyrocketed up the odds standings for the NBA Finals. Boston had +6000 odds to win it all at the end of 2021. After this insane run, the Celtics are +1100. 

Boston’s turnaround has been driven by its defense. The defense had been solid all season long, but Boston took it to another level. Since the start of the new year, the Celtics are 3.8 points better than the second place team in defensive rating and have the best net rating in the league. 

The defense has been the anchor and has led them to wins, but the offense is what makes them a complete team. In the same time frame that Boston has had the best defense in the league, it has also had a top 5 offense.

The Celtics are a complete team now, and that should scare the rest of the Eastern Conference. Yesterday, I wrote about how Jayson Tatum’s offense has come to life in March. If he keeps up this scoring pace, there won’t be much for opposing teams to do.

Boston is in a three-way tie with the Bucks and 76ers for the No. 2 seed in the East. It’s also 1.5 games behind the Heat for the No. 1 seed. Although the Celtics have the fourth-hardest schedule for the remaining part of the season, they have a game against the Heat and Bucks left. 

That means that the Celtics have an opportunity to make a significant jump over the last three weeks and potentially get the No. 1 seed. Considering how they are playing, now might be the time to jump on the bandwagon before the odds jump even more. 

Bold predictions for the next round of March Madness, plus Arkansas is two wins away from BetSided's Iain Macmillan losing a bet to have to get a Razorback tattoo!
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