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

Celtics Play Touching Bill Walton Tribute Video Before Game 1 of NBA Finals

The Boston Celtics commemorated the late Bill Walton ahead of Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday, honoring the Hall of Famer with a touching tribute video and a moment of silence prior to tip-off.

Walton passed away on May 27 at age 71.

The two-time NBA All-Star won a championship with the Celtics in 1986, when he was the team's sixth man. Walton's family was in attendance for Game 1 at TD Garden on Thursday.

"Bill was a champion at every level and the embodiment of unselfish team play. He derived great joy from basketball and music and deeply cherished his moments with teammates, friends and family. We are proud to call him one of the greatest Celtics to ever live," said Celtics stadium PA announcer.

Before Game 1, the Celtics held a tribute and moment of silence for NBA legend Bill Walton. pic.twitter.com/8KmLWihnT2
— ESPN (@espn) June 7, 2024

In addition to the video and moment of silence, players donned a Walton-themed warmup shirt, which were distributed by the league ahead of the game. Additionally, Boston's coaching staff are wearing tie-dye pins with "WALTON" written in black letters.

31 May 24 Jimm Sallivan

Mavericks Advance to NBA Finals After Routing Timberwolves in Game 5

The stage is officially set for the 2024 NBA Finals, as the Dallas Mavericks managed to close out the series against the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 5 of the Western Conference finals.

The Mavs' 124–103 win lifts the team to its first championship appearance since 2011, and there was never really a doubt for most of the contest after a dominant start from Luka Dončić, who scored 20 points in the first quarter.

As has been the case all playoffs long, Dallas put the ball into the hands of its tandem of star guards, Dončić and Kyrie Irving, and let them go to work. The two combined for 72 points in Thursday's series-clinching win and were tied for the game-high in scoring with 36 points apiece.

The Mavericks' other starters and role players lived up to their end of the billing, too, providing quality work on the glass and making life difficult for the Timberwolves offensively. Daniel Gafford's plus-minus of +27 was the highest in the game, and he and Dereck Lively II didn't miss a single field goal attempt between them (6-for-6) while combining for 17 rebounds.

In 17 games during the playoffs, Dončić is averaging 28.7 points per game as he’s helped guide the Mavs, who entered the postseason as the No. 5 seed in the West, through the conference gauntlet. He's now set for the first NBA Finals appearance of his career, where a showdown against the Boston Celtics awaits.

Game 1 is set for next Thursday, June 6 at 8:30 p.m. EST from the TD Garden in Boston, Mass.

10 Jun 24 Jimm Sallivan

Luka Dončić Takes Ownership of Mavericks’ ‘Missed Opportunity’ in Game 2

The Dallas Mavericks are down two games to none against the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals, and Luka Doncic admitted after the Game 2 defeat on Sunday that each loss felt like a "missed opportunity."

Despite leading the game with 32 points and recording a triple-double, Doncic wasn't pleased with his own performance on Sunday night, and he took ownership for some of his sloppy play when speaking to reporters after the game.

"Every game we lose is a missed opportunity for us," said Doncic, via Joey Mistretta of ClutchPoints.

"I think my turnovers and missed free throws cost us the game. So I've got to do way better in those categories," he added, via SI's Grant Afseth.

Doncic shot an uncharacteristically poor 4 for 8 from the free throw line and turned the ball over eight times in Sunday's loss. The four missed free throws and eight turnovers were both postseason highs, and he's now 6 for 13 from the charity stripe during the NBA Finals and has as many turnovers (12) as he does assists.

Although Doncic is shouldering the blame, the 2–0 deficit is hardly his fault. The rest of the team has shot a putrid 5 for 32 from three-point territory through the first two games of the series, and Kyrie Irving has yet to connect from beyond the arc. Irving's 28 points through Games 1 and 2 were fewer than the 32 Doncic provided on Sunday night alone.

Game 3 on Wednesday night will prove crucial for Dallas as they look to claw back against the Celtics, and although Doncic noted that he'll have to take care of the ball better and get the job done at the free throw line, the onus is on his teammates to step up, too.

US Sports News

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

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