NBA Finals Odds: Oddsmakers Give Celtics 80 Percent Chance to Win After Game 1

June 7, 2024 Jimm Sallivan

It took just one game — one quarter really — of the 2024 NBA Finals for the Boston Celtics to show why they had the best record in the NBA in the 2023-24 season and led the league in net rating.

Boston jumped out to the biggest first quarter lead in a Game 1 in NBA Finals history, and it didn’t let Dallas get closer than eight points the rest of the way in a blowout win.

The C’s came into this series as -210 favorites at DraftKings Sportsbook, giving them an implied probability of over 60 percent to win the title. That has already changed drastically after Boston’s Game 1 win.

Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook.

Based on the latest odds at DraftKings, Boston has an implied probability of 80 percent to win the NBA Finals this season. While it was only one game, it’s clear that Boston’s dominance has altered the betting market in a big way.

A historical trend that dates back to the 1996-97 season also favors Boston, as no team that has finished outside the top eight in net rating during the regular season has gone on to win the NBA Finals since then.

Dallas is attempting to break that trend this season.

Since the 1996-97 season, every team that won the NBA Finals finished inside the top 8 in net rating during the regular season.

This season:

1. Celtics
2. Thunder
3. Timberwolves
4. Nuggets
5. Knicks
6. Pelicans
7. Clippers
8. Suns

Knicks, Celtics the only teams in East…🤔

— Peter Dewey (@peterdewey2) April 18, 2024

For bettors that still believe in the Mavericks, there is something to hang your hat on after Game 1.

Jason Kidd was just 1-5 (now 1-6) in Game 1s as the Mavericks’ head coach, but he’s led his team to a 5-1 series record so far in two playoff runs. Kidd has made the adjustments — and his team has responded — after other poor showings in series openers in the playoffs this season.

As a bettor who already has a Celtics future from the preseason in pocket, I’m standing pat ahead of Sunday’s Game 2 based on the latest odds movement.

Odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.

Find Peter Dewey’s NBA betting record here (futures included). You can also follow my daily plays on BetStamp here.

7 Jun 24 Jimm Sallivan

List of Every NBA Finals Series to Go Seven Games

The 2024 NBA Finals tip off on Thursday night, as the Boston Celtics look to add an 11th Larry O'Brien Trophy to their trophy case, while the Dallas Mavericks look to secure the franchise's second-ever NBA title.

For viewing purposes, getting the opportunity to see a seven-game series between the Celtics and Mavericks would be wildly entertaining. It's somewhat uncommon for an NBA Finals series to go the full seven games, however. Throughout history, the NBA Finals has gone the full distance of seven games only 19 times.

Most recently, the 2016 NBA Finals between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors was decided in seven games, but the past seven championships have been decided quicker than that.

Here's a look at every NBA Finals series that has gone seven games:

YEAR	MATCHUP
1951	Rochester Royals def. New York Knicks
1952	Minneapolis Lakers def. New York Knicks
1954	Minneapolis Lakers def. Syracuse Nationals
1955	Syracuse Nationals def. Fort Wayne Pistons
1957	Boston Celtics def. St. Louis Hawks
1960	Boston Celtics def. St. Louis Hawks
1962	Boston Celtics def. Los Angeles Lakers
1966	Boston Celtics def. Los Angeles Lakers
1969	Boston Celtics def. Los Angeles Lakers
1970	New York Knicks def. Los Angeles Lakers
1974	Boston Celtics def. Milwaukee Bucks
1978	Washington Bullets def. Seattle Supersonics
1984	Boston Celtics def. Los Angeles Lakers
1988	Los Angeles Lakers def. Detroit Pistons
1994	Houston Rockets def. New York Knicks
2005	San Antonio Spurs def. Detroit Pistons
2010	Los Angeles Lakers def. Boston Celtics
2013	Miami Heat def. San Antonio Spurs
2016	Cleveland Cavaliers def. Golden State Warriors

Game 7's have been few and far between in recent history. Since 1995, only four NBA Finals series have reached the coveted seventh game.

Of course, those that have gone the distance have resulted in some iconic moments, including the Cavaliers becoming the first team in league history to overcome a 3–1 deficit in the Finals in '16 against the Warriors.

Of the 19 Game 7's in NBA Finals history, only two have gone to overtime, and none since 1962 when the Celtics took down the Lakers.

3 May 24 Jimm Sallivan

Celtics’ Payton Pritchard Reveals Why He Wears Sabrina Ionescu’s Signature Shoes

Payton Pritchard and the Boston Celtics are currently awaiting the end of the Orlando Magic - Cleveland Cavaliers series to learn their opponent for the upcoming Eastern Conference semifinal series.

While everyone waits for the unofficial NBA TV series to wrap up on national television sometime this weekend, the local press gets to ask whatever questions they don't have time for when there are actual games to talk about, which is probably why someone finally asked Pritchard about his sneakers.

Prtichard wears Sabrina Ionescu's signature Nike shoes. Pritchard and Ionescu both went to Oregon as freshmen in 2016 and played all four years in Eugene before turning pro.

Ionescu was selected with the first pick of the 2020 WNBA draft, while Pritchard was taken 26th by the Celtics. While Pritchard doesn't have his own signature shoe, at least he found a comfortable one with his friend's name on it.

Payton Pritchard on why he wears Sabrina Ionescu’s shoes:
“Me and Sabrina are in the same class, and we went to Oregon together as freshmen. Her shoes are probably the most comfortable out right now. It’s light. I like it.” pic.twitter.com/rbROb4F1MU
— Noa Dalzell 🏀 (@NoaDalzellNBA) May 3, 2024

Pritchard is not the only NBA player rocking the Sabrina's. During All-Star Weekend, Dallas Mavericks center Dereck Lively II revealed that he had an exciting exchange with Ionescu about her shoes. She thanked him for wearing them while he thanked her for making them so comfortable.

"Thank you for wearing my shoes."
"Thank you for making them that comfortable."
This Dereck Lively II and Sabrina Ionescu interaction 🤣 pic.twitter.com/XdhQecEtPP
— NBA (@NBA) February 17, 2024

That's some solid word-of-mouth. Not only does Ionescu have the skill and profile to be featured during NBA All-Star Saturday, but she also has got the footwear to back it up.

And if she has it her way, more WNBA players will get signature shoes. If they're half as comfortable as hers apparently are, that's a good thing for all basketball players.

7 Jun 24 Jimm Sallivan

LeBron James Shares Heartfelt Message for Doris Burke Ahead of Her NBA Finals Debut

Doris Burke will make history on Thursday night as she becomes the first woman to serve as a game analyst on television during a major men's professional championship event when she's on the call for the 2024 NBA Finals.

Ahead of her Finals debut, Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James shared some heartwarming words of encouragement and appreciation for the renowned analyst.

"Important moment for our sport tonight. Love and respect to DB and everything she does to elevate all of us! You’re a [goat emoji]!" wrote James on X, formerly Twitter, ahead of tipoff of Game 1 on Thursday evening.

Important moment for our sport tonight. Love and respect to DB and everything she does to elevate all of us! You’re a 🐐! 🙏🏾🤎🫡 https://t.co/eckUkkP2Bk
— LeBron James (@KingJames) June 7, 2024

Burke will be on ABC/ESPN's lead broadcast team for each game of the NBA Finals series between the Boston Celtics and Dallas Mavericks, joining the likes of Mike Breen and JJ Redick in one of the most coveted seats in the business.

James was overjoyed to see Burke get an opportunity and continue to pave the way for women in sports, and he congratulated her on social media.

During a recent appearance on "The Rich Eisen Show," Burke spoke on the importance of the opportunity for herself and all women in sports.

"I’ll be honest with you, it’s meaningful," she said. "There’s no doubt that that sentiment hasn’t dawned on me. Obviously, what could be better for me if in some way this assignment helps women in some way? There could be nothing more meaningful."

Burke has been a full-time NBA analyst since 2017, having previously been ESPN's top sideline reporter. She called the NBA Finals on ESPN Radio in 2020, becoming the first woman to do so, and continues to blaze trails with her latest achievement during this year's championship.

US Sports News

NBA Finals Odds: Oddsmakers Give Celtics 80 Percent Chance to Win After Game 1

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