Celtics 2019 NBA Championship Odds Improve Entering Playoffs, 76ers Fading

• A strong finish has oddsmakers forgetting about Boston’s shaky regular season
• Should the 76ers’ drop in title odds present a valuable wager?
• Which Eastern Conference team is the best bet for an NBA Championship?

A month late, but perhaps the luck of the Irish is finally shining down on the Boston Celtics.

In the latest round of NBA Championship odds, the Celtics saw themselves at an average of +1500. They had been +1700 just eight days ago. Meanwhile, the 76ers are trending in the opposite direction, having seen their odds lengthen from +1300 to +1600.

Do either of these teams present value?

2019 NBA Championship Odds

*Odds taken on 04/11/19

Hayward’s Late-Season Surge Reason for Optimism

It’s rare that a guy averaging 11.5 points a game on 33.3% shooting from thee-point range is the key for a team’s title chances, but the Gordon Hayward situation is unique.

Are you excited for Gordon Hayward in the playoffs? pic.twitter.com/imhDJnDb6p

— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) April 4, 2019

After a devastating broken ankle suffered in the first quarter of his first ever game as a Celtic a year ago, his return to form has been agonizingly slow.

But with a playoff berth locked in, Hayward finally showed the game that made him a prized free-agent acquisition. In four April games to end the season, he averaged 18.3 points and 5.3 rebounds, shooting 65% from the field and 40% from deep.

Gordon Hayward went a perfect 9-9 from the field tonight in Indiana! ☘️?#CUsRise pic.twitter.com/sC2Fg2L09I

— NBA TV (@NBATV) April 6, 2019

He also averaged better than 4.5 free throw attempts a game, the highest output all season – finally showing the physical and fearless element of his game prior to injury.

When Gordon Hayward scores +15 points in a game, the Celtics are 17-3. Winning by an average of 13.4 points in those games ☘️ pic.twitter.com/CqfeckIGNh

— celtics (@Celticcs) April 6, 2019

His solid play gives Kyrie Irving a dependable second banana to carry offense, while taking pressure off Jayson Tatum, which could let the slumping sophomore just worry about being his dominant rookie self.

Will Philly’s Four Stars Align for a Title?

On paper, there are few rosters you’d want more than Philly’s. Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid are young mega-studs. Jimmy Butler is a fearless shot taker and (mostly) shot-maker.

Two game-winners in 8 days for Jimmy Butler.

EXACT. SAME. SPOT. ? pic.twitter.com/osRUKoIKrt

— ESPN (@espn) November 26, 2018

Tobias Harris does a bunch of everything well, including not needing to demand the basketball. So why are the 76ers fading?

They rank fourth in scoring in the NBA, and eighth in both field goal and three-point percentage. But a closer look reveals that their crunch time five has just one true consistent deep threat in JJ Redick.

NUMBER 33 FOR 3!

Welcome to Philadelphia, Tobias Harris! pic.twitter.com/Jnknx3kGb3

— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) February 9, 2019

Harris left his jumper behind in LA when he arrived at the trade deadline. He’s shot just 32.6% with the Sixers, down from a sizzling 43.4% with the Clippers.

Harris left his jumper behind in LA when he arrived at the trade deadline. He’s shot just 32.6% with the Sixers.

Butler is at 33.6%, while Ben Simmons is a 0% – literally.

This team shoots better than 65% inside the restricted area, but if they can’t stretch defenses, Embiid will get smothered. It’s been a worthy experiment, and so far, it’s been underwhelming.

“I expect this series to go at least six games.”@AdamSchein says the Philadelphia 76ers should be scared of the Brooklyn Nets, especially with Joel Embiid’s health in question. #T2S pic.twitter.com/FLXvB6cCRx

— CBS Sports Network (@CBSSportsNet) April 11, 2019

Perhaps that’s why they looked absolutely ordinary against the top-four seeds in each conference, going just 6-13 this season.

Still, they’ve only had about two months to figure each other out. It’s not inconceivable they could catch fire for two months and find themselves in the NBA Finals.

Are Either of These Teams Worth a Bet? Who Is?

At this moment, Boston and Philly are still underdogs to Toronto and Milwaukee in what’s shaping up to be a fatal four for the ages in the East’s second round.

The real season begins.

We’re all ALL IN. #WeTheNorth pic.twitter.com/ssPOl0T07L

— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) April 11, 2019

Toronto has the complete roster and the second best player in the conference in Kawhi, which is a slight favorite to me over Giannis and the Bucks. I’d lean their way.

But still, this is Golden State’s world, and there’s no one who can tell me otherwise. Wager accordingly.