The 2024-25 NBA season is underway and this year, the Celtics are a heavy favorite to win the NBA Championship. Coming off of a championship win last year, the Boston team is set to take on main challengers and have the best odds of being the winners again. The Celtics dominated the court last year and set records. The team ended with a 122.2 offensive rating and they outscored other NBA teams by 11.34 points on average. With a strong squad, top coaches, and a drive to be the championship winners again, the Celtics are at the top of their game and remain the leading choice at leading online sportsbooks.
Why Boston is a Top Choice
In most cases, when the NBA season starts, there is not a strong contender for being the NBA Champion. However, this year, things are a bit different. The Celtics have attracted the attention of sports analysts and enthusiasts and are listed as the favorite to win it all this year. Based on information from various betting sites, the Celts have the best-listed odds of winning.
One of the main reasons Boston remains the top choice is due to the returning roster. The team has the top 11 players returning for this season. The loaded roster gives the Celtics the boost they need to maintain their fan base and have a winning season. If the Celtics do win again this year, they will be the first repeat champions since 2018 when the Golden State Warriors won their second championship banner.
As of now, Boston has the best odds of being the Finals winners, at +325, a slight change from the season-opening odds of +310. The Thunder comes in at +500 followed by the Knicks at +650 and the 76ers at +1000. With a 25% implied probability of being repeat Champions, the Celtics are the team to watch. Since Boston is part of the Eastern Conference, teams with power are limited. That’s why the teams that currently have the shortest odds are all part of the Eastern Conference.
Consistency is also key. The Boston team showed consistent performances throughout the past season and has proven to be one of the best teams both offensively and defensively. The dynamic duo, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown will be taking the court again this year. Both players put up amazing numbers last season and the two powerhouses have been the backbone of the team. While the stars play a key role in the Celtics’ path to the Finals in 2025, the team has many other talented players who can step up when needed.
Types of NBA Finals Bets
When visiting leading sportsbooks, there will be multiple options for placing bets on the NBA Champions. Each sportsbook will have listed odds and they are all competitive. At top-rated websites like Stake, there will also be multiple promotional offers that can help bettors enjoy placing wagers on the NBA Finals. When it comes to basketball betting, the Celtics are at the top of the list, so sportsbooks are already seeing many futures bets being placed. Here, we explain some of the popular bet types that can be placed.
- Moneyline – This is the simplest form of NBA betting and it involves choosing an outright winner. Bettors can place wagers on individual games or the winner of the NBA Finals.
- Point Spread – Known as the spread in basketball, this involves the margin of victory. The favorite, in this case, the Celtics, will have some points removed from the total points. The underdog will then have points added. Each team must win or not lose by the listed spread for the bet to win.
- Over/Under – When it comes to betting on the NBA Finals, this is the bet to choose. Stake offers top odds and since the season is still in the early stages, this is a great bet to place now.
- Parlays – These bets are very popular when placing wagers on the finals. The most popular option is a same-game parlay. This bet will include multiple bets for a single game and could include what team will win, what player will score the most points, and other options.
What Stands in the Way?
Even though sportsbooks have the Celtics as a heavy favorite to be this year’s banner winners, some things could change the outcome of the season. The Celtics may be on the right path as the season has begun, but there are some possible challenges ahead. Other teams in the Eastern and Western Conferences have taken steps to improve teams. With trades and new players entering the league, the dynamics are sure to change.
Since the roster of the Celtics largely remains the same, they may not be able to keep up with the competition this season. Instead of making any new acquisitions, Boston did not add any new players aside from the Draft. They chose to re-sign players who had contracts that were expiring.
The New York Knicks may be after the championship this year as they acquired Mikal Bridges. While the Knicks suffered many injuries last year, the team is in good health starting this season, making them the threat to Boston. The 76ers also made some major changes and signed Paul George, the All-Star forward. Combine George with Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, and the 76ers have a powerhouse combination that will control the court.
Another reason the Celtics may not enjoy a repeat win is due to the return of injured stars. Many payers in both conferences were on the injured list during last season, and they have now returned. With many key players now back in action, the Celtics will have to turn up the heat. The question is whether they can do that with a returning roster.
Despite the possible hurdles, the Boston team remains a favorite at sportsbooks. The team continues to have the shortest odds of being the Finals winner, but there is a long season ahead. Focus, determination, and overall health will be the important things for the team as they travel the road to being a repeat NBA Championship team.
