The Boston Celtics are an overwhelming favorite to win the NBA title with the conference finals set to begin this week.

Boston is listed anywhere from -150 to -160 to win it all, and above -1000 to beat the Indiana Pacers along the way.

Indiana is the clear No. 4 team on the odds board and can be taken anywhere from +2300 to +2500 to win. The Minnesota Timberwolves are the second favorite, around +270, and Dallas third, a ballpark number in the +500 range.

The question everyone will ask over the next few days and weeks is whether any one of Minnesota, Dallas, or Indiana can beat Boston, and in turn, cash a decent pay day.

The case against Boston is that the Celtics haven’t exactly been tested in the postseason. They cruised past the Jimmy Butler-less Miami Heat and a Cleveland Cavaliers team that also was not at full strength and gave up toward the end of the series.


Boston does not have Kristaps Porzingis back yet, which is a key part to the Eastern Conference Finals because the Pacers have some decent size with Pascal Siakam and Myles Turner.

Indiana hasn’t displayed an ounce of fear throughout the postseason and went 2-3 against the Celtics in the regular season.

The one weakness the Pacers have is Rick Carlisle’s feel for the game. At some points of the Knicks series, he should’ve used T.J. McConnell and Obi Toppin more instead of Andrew Nembhard and Aaron Nesmith. He’s going to have to be more adaptive in certain games in the ECF.

Boston definitely has the best player in the series with Jayson Tatum, but there could be a case that the Pacers have the better overall team. It might be a stretch, but I could at least argue that case if I was invited on to a national debate show.

Minnesota carries an even higher level of give-no-fucks than the Pacers. Anthony Edwards is blossoming into a superstar in front of our eyes and if you abide by the defense-wins-championships credo, then the Wolves are the team for you.

Sure, Edwards is fantastic and will win games on his own, but the Wolves defense won Game 7 against the Denver Nuggets.

And then there’s the Dallas Mavericks, who have Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, yet feel like an afterthought in the whole NBA championship discussion.

Imagine what kind of scene it’ll be in Boston if Kyrie returns to play the Celtics in the NBA Finals. That would be a spectacle to say the least.

With all that being said, there is certainly value on any of Pacers, Wolves and Mavs. You could take the field against Boston at plus-money on FanDuel. You could also go after the Western Conference to win the Finals on DraftKings at +135.

There’s all sorts of exact outcome props you can play as well, at sportsbook apps in PA and New Jersey sports betting apps, but those two are your best bet if you believe one or more of the other three teams left standing can beat Boston.

Kinkead: and if you hate the Celtics and would rather put your money elsewhere, I recommend Pennsylvania online casino. Don’t forgot PA casino bonuses, though. If you’re in New Jersey, try NJ online casino apps.