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We’re down to three teams in the NBA, one of those teetering. It’s the Boston Celtics as champs of the Eastern Conference, awaiting (as of Tuesday afternoon) their NBA Finals opponent.
Here’s a look at where things currently stand in the NBA, and some of the associated odds…
Sweeping the East
Boston eliminated Indiana in the East. rallying to sweep away the shorthanded Pacers, 105-102, at Indianapolis Monday evening. Playing without star Tyrese Haliburton (hamstring) in the final two games, Indiana did fight the Celtics all the way to the wire.
Now, it’s the Celtics, who lost Game 7 at home to the Miami Heat last season, making their second Finals appearance in the past three seasons.
Boston, without a star of its own as Kristaps Porzingis nurses an injured calf (expected to return in the Finals), rode the play of conference finals MVP Jaylen Brown (119 points in four games). Though it ended in a sweep, Indiana had any number of leads in the series.
A poor (non-fouling) coaching decision cost the Pacers a win in the opener, and they hung tough in both games at home. However, it’s the Boston Celtics who go after an 18th title.
They are currently 4-9 (-225) choices to win, according to NBA Finals odds.
Joining the Celtics?
This (Tuesday) night finds the Dallas Mavericks in a position to duplicate the Boston Celtics. Dallas is a slim, 1½-point favorite to end its Western Conference final series against the Minnesota Timberwolves as per NBA odds.
Dallas is hosting Game 4 after winning the first three games by a combined 13 points.
Minny can’t find a way to defend either Luka Doncic (five triple-doubles in playoffs) or Kyrie Irving, who each scored 33 points in Game 3.
Meanwhile, Wolves’ star Anthony Edwards is just 28-of-81 (34.5 percent) in this series.
If you think the Timberwolves grab Game 4, here are the subsequent series odds…
Meanwhile, Wolves’ star Anthony Edwards is just 28-of-81 (34.5 percent) in this series.
If you think the Timberwolves grab Game 4, here are the subsequent series odds…
Dallas Mavericks 4-1 9-2 (+450)
Dallas Mavericks 4-2 5-1 (+500)
Minnesota Timberwolves 4-3 10-1 (+1000)
Dallas Mavericks 4-3 18-1 (+1800)
Larry O’Brien Trophy
It won’t be the Denver Nuggets as repeat champions, with either the Boston Celtics (17 NBA titles), Dallas Mavericks (one) or Minnesota Timberwolves (none) lifting the Larry O’Brien Trophy this time around.
As a lesson in history, here are the recent NBA champions…
1990s
1990: Detroit Pistons def. Portland Trail Blazers 4-1
1991: Chicago Bulls def. Los Angeles Lakers 4-1
1992: Chicago Bulls def. Portland Trail Blazers 4-2
1993: Chicago Bulls def. Phoenix Suns 4-2
1994: Houston Rockets def. New York Knicks 4-3
1995: Houston Rockets def. Orlando Magic 4-0
1996: Chicago Bulls def. Seattle SuperSonics 4-2
1997: Chicago Bulls def. Utah Jazz 4-2
1998: Chicago Bulls def. Utah Jazz 4-2
1999: San Antonio Spurs def. New York Knicks 4-1
2000s
2000: Los Angeles Lakers def. Indiana Pacers 4-2
2001: Los Angeles Lakers def. Philadelphia 76ers 4-1
2002: Los Angeles Lakers def. New Jersey Nets 4-0
2003: San Antonio Spurs def. New Jersey Nets 4-2
2004: Detroit Pistons def. Los Angeles Lakers 4-1
2005: San Antonio Spurs def. Detroit Pistons 4-3
2006: Miami Heat def. Dallas Mavericks 4-2
2007: San Antonio Spurs def. Cleveland Cavaliers 4-0
2008: Boston Celtics def. Los Angeles Lakers 4-2
2009: Los Angeles Lakers def. Orlando Magic 4-1
2010s
2010: Los Angeles Lakers def. Boston Celtics 4-3
2011: Dallas Mavericks def. Miami Heat 4-2
2012: Miami Heat def. Oklahoma City Thunder 4-1
2013: Miami Heat def. San Antonio Spurs 4-3
2014: San Antonio Spurs def. Miami Heat 4-1
2015: Golden State Warriors def. Cleveland Cavaliers 4-2
2016: Cleveland Cavaliers def. Golden State Warriors 4-3
2017: Golden State Warriors def. Cleveland Cavaliers 4-1
2018: Golden State Warriors def. Cleveland Cavaliers 4-0
2019: Toronto Raptors def. Golden State Warriors 4-2
2020s
2020: Los Angeles Lakers def. Miami Heat 4-2
2021: Milwaukee Bucks def. Phoenix Suns 4-2
2022: Golden State Warriors def. Boston Celtics 4-2
2023: Denver Nuggets def. Miami Heat 4-1
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