The 2022-23 NBA season tips off tonight, and the Boston Celtics are looking to take one more step forward after last season’s appearance in the NBA Finals. That step would mean winning the NBA championship, and many think the Celtics playing rotation has improved since last season. That being said, the coaching circus surrounding the organization leaves some question marks Boston didn’t anticipate having.
Even with a few questions to be answered, the talent is unquestioned, and young stars like Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown should only continue to get better. Put it all together, and it makes sense that the Celtics are the odds-on favorite to win the NBA Finals when it comes to preseason sports betting odds.
| Sportsbook | NBA Champion | Eastern Conference | Atlantic Division | Regular Season Wins |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | +600 | +290 | +135 | Over 53.5 (-105) Under 53.5 (-115) |
| Caesars | +575 | +285 | +140 | Over 53.5 (-115) Under 53.5 (-115) |
| FanDuel | +600 | +270 | +140 | N/A |
| BetMGM | +500 | +260 | +125 | Over 54.5 (+110) Under 54.5 (-130) |
As the preseason odds favorite, it may be wise to wait and see if the Celtics get off to a slow start or have a losing streak at some point, as the odds don’t present much value right now. Being the favorite means your odds, even if you’re winning a lot, probably won’t get much better until playoffs because the Celtics are expected to win a lot during the regular season.
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Boston Celtics Betting Odds
The majority of sportsbooks have the Celtics as the NBA title favorite. The best value odds right now are at DraftKings and FanDuel, which both have the Celtics at +600 to go all the way. Here is a quick list of the top teams in the NBA Finals betting market on DraftKings Sportsbook:
- Celtics +600
- Clippers +600
- Warriors +600
- Nets +700
- Bucks +800
- Suns +1200
Along with NBA Finals odds, sportsbooks also offer other NBA futures betting markets such as Eastern and Western Conference champion, division champion, and over/under win totals. It makes sense that the Celtics are the odds-on Eastern Conference favorites, considering Boston is the NBA title favorite. The best value on the Celtics winning the Eastern Conference can be found at DraftKings (+290). The Nets (+330), Bucks (+370), and 76ers (+750) round out the rest of the top four in the Eastern Conference preseason odds.
Once again, the team with the best odds to win the Atlantic Division is the Celtics. The best value can be found at Caesars Sportsbook and FanDuel, who both have Boston at +140 to win the division. The Nets and 76ers are also in the top three for division odds, making it one of the more competitive divisions in the NBA.
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Celtics Over/Under Wins Total Odds
Another popular bet in the NBA futures market is over/under win totals. The NBA regular season consists of 82 games, and bettors can bet on whether a specific team will go over or stay under their listed win total. Most major sportsbooks have the Celtics’ win total over/under set between 53.5 and 54.5. The best value is currently at BetMGM to bet the over 54.5 wins with +110 odds.
| Position | Starter | Second | Rotation Pieces/Flex Positional Players |
|---|---|---|---|
| Point Guard | Marcus Smart | Payton Pritchard | Malcolm Brogdon Derrick White JD Davison |
| Shooting Guard | Derrick White | Malcolm Brogdon | Jaylen Brown Marcus Smart JD Davison Justin Jackson |
| Small Forward | Jaylen Brown | Grant Williams | Sam Hauser Jayson Tatum Justin Jackson |
| Power Forward | Jayson Tatum | Blake Griffin | Grant Williams Al Horford Sam Hauser Luke Kornet Mfiondu Kabengele Noah Vonleh |
| Center | Al Horford | Robert Williams (expected to Return from injury early 2023) | Luke Kornet Mfiondu Kabengele Noah Vonleh Blake Griffin |
The most noticeable aspect about the Celtics’ lineup is the improved depth from last season. The roster also possesses position flexibility which is becoming more critical every season in the NBA right now. Boston has many players that can play multiple positions and do it at a high level.
In addition to team futures bets, NBA fans can also bet on individual player props. The Celtics have several players in the running for season-long awards with decent odds. Players like Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are top candidates for MVP, while Malcolm Brogdon and Marcus Smart are candidates for Sixth Man of the Year.
