Boston Celtics
The Celtics are the favorites to win the Eastern Conference and have the third-best odds to win it all.
Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown Danielle Parhizkaran/Globe Staff
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The Knicks clinched their first title since 1973 over the weekend, but when it comes to odds for next year’s NBA championship, New York already trails several teams including the Celtics.
According to both DraftKings Sportsbook and BetMGM, the Celtics have the third-best odds to win it all in 2027. DraftKings has Boston at +550 and BetMGM has Boston at +700.
DraftKings and Bet MGM are split on which team has the overall best odds. BetMGM has Oklahoma City as the favorite at +250, while DraftKings has San Antonio as the favorite at +250.
Both companies have the Knicks fourth behind OKC, San Antonio, and Boston. Detroit, which earned the Eastern Conference’s top seed last season, was outside of the top-five.
The Celtics, who lost in the first-round to Philadelphia in this year’s playoffs, have the best odds of any Eastern Conference team to win the championship next year.
As it stands right now, the Celtics could retain a core of Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Derrick White.
The Celtics won 56 games and earned the No. 2-ssed last season despite Tatum missing most of the season. A healthy Tatum and a more experienced supporting cast could make the Celtics more dangerous next year.
The Celtics have also been mentioned frequently as possible suitors for Giannis Antetokounmpo, whom is expected to be traded from Milwaukee ahead of the upcoming NBA Draft.
The possibility of pairing Antetokounmpo and Tatum together makes the Celtics a team to watch over the next few weeks.
Meanwhile the Knicks have Finals MVP Jalen Brunson under contract, along with Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges, O.G. Anunoby, and Josh Hart.
Despite entering the postseason as the No. 3-seed, New York won 12 of its last 13 playoff games en route to the championship.
The Celtics are Eastern Conference favorites heading into next season, but with the defending champion Knicks looming in the Atlantic division competition could get intense.
Khari A. Thompson
Khari Thompson covers professional sports for Boston.com. Before joining the team in 2022, Khari covered college football for The Clarion Ledger in Jackson, Miss.
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