2023 NBA Championship Futures: Celtics Solidifying Their Top Spot In The Wake Of Antetokounmpo Injury

The NBA Playoffs are in full swing and as a result, sportsbooks have begun recalibrating their odds in the futures market. Injuries to Giannis Antetokounmpo, Ja Morant, and Tyler Herro have reshaped the odds to win the NBA championship this June. One team that has been the beneficiary of this rash of injuries has been the Boston Celtics. The defending Eastern Conference champions have solidified their position at the top of the board, sliding under +300 all the way down to +280 at some books. The Celtics now join their Beantown buddies and TD Garden roommates, the Bruins, as favorites in their respective sports to win it all. No city has claimed the NBA and NHL titles in the same year. 

2023 NBA Champion

ALSO READ

NBA Western Conference Playoff Series Preview: Grizzlies A Short Favorite And Kings An Underdog As Top Seeds

Despite falling behind 0-2 to the Sacramento Kings, the defending champs are still holding strong in the futures market at +1500. The Golden State Warriors have struggled mightily on the road this season and will now need to win four of the next five games to advance to the second round of the Western Conference playoffs. It should be noted that Steve Kerr has never lost a Western Conference playoff series. 

The Milwaukee Bucks have taken a small step back in the odds market in the wake of the Greek Freak's injury and should be concerned as the series moves to Miami. They bounced back after a Game One loss, evening the series at 1-1. But without Antetokounmpo in the mix, this series could go to seven games and bounce the Bucks out of the playoffs altogether. 

Phoenix rebounded from a shocking Game One loss, overcoming the Clippers and Scott Foster in the process. Oddsmakers believe they are the strongest team in the Western Conference when firing on all cylinders. Speaking of the West, the market continues to doubt the upstart Kings despite their impressive start against Golden State. Sactown led the NBA in scoring and shooting efficiency and have carried that swagger over to the postseason. It helps that Draymond Green will be out for Game Three because if they can push the Dubs' into a 3-0 hole, it's curtains. 

And finally, the 76ers are cruising through their first-round matchup with the Nets. A pair of double-digit wins set the table for a potential sweep or gentleman's sweep. That should come in handy because they'll need the rest and extra prep time to prepare for a showdown with Boston in the second round.