The Boston Celtics are looking to win their first NBA title since 2008, and we're making our NBA Finals predictions and best bets for Celtics fans based on the best NBA odds.
The Boston Celtics head into the NBA Finals against the Dallas Mavericks in hopes of earning the franchise's 18th championship. One more Larry O'Brien Trophy would give the Celtics sole possession of the most championships in NBA history, as they're tied with the Los Angeles Lakers for the most.
Boston hasn't won it all since 2008 but has sat atop the NBA championship odds all season, and with Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown leading the charge – both are NBA Finals MVP odds favorites – the Celtics are positioned to add to their trophy case.
Along with our NBA Finals odds & betting preview, here's our breakdown of the top NBA Finals predictions and best bets for Celtics fans ahead of Game 1 between the Mavericks and Celtics (odds via our best sports betting sites).
Best Celtics NBA Finals odds
| Prop | Best odds |
|---|---|
| Celtics to win series | -210 via DraftKings |
| Celtics -1.5 games | +105 via BetMGM |
| Celtics -2.5 games | +230 via Caesars |
| Celtics -3.5 games | +750 via bet365 |
| Celtics +1.5 games | -370 via DraftKings |
| Celtics +2.5 games | -1000 via DraftKings |
| Celtics win series 4-0 | +900 via FanDuel |
| Celtics win series 4-1 | +340 via Caesars |
| Celtics win series 4-2 | +475 via DraftKings |
| Celtics win series 4-3 | +390 via Caesars |
Boston has quietly turned in one of the most dominant seasons in NBA history. The Celtics' 64-18 regular-season record was by far the best in the league, and they've lived up to the hype in the postseason with a 12-2 record, including an Eastern Conference Finals sweep. On paper, Boston is better than the Mavericks with the top offensive rating in the NBA (123.2) and the third-best defensive rating (111.6).
You'd be hard pressed to find a better top six than what Joe Mazzulla's been deploying this season. It's the perfect mix of talent, selflessness, and experience. That's why the Celtics' -210 odds imply a 67.74% probability they'll win the NBA Finals, according to our odds converter.
Given Boston is such a heavy favorite against Dallas, the best bang for your buck in terms of betting on the Celtics to win it all may be by focusing on the exact result of the series. I feel strongly that the Celtics will take the title, but with Luka Doncic looming, I think the Mavericks will win a pair of games. That's why I love the +475 odds for the Celtics to win it all in six games. These odds pay a $47.50 profit on a $10 bet.
Best bet: Celtics win series 4-2 (+475 via DraftKings)
No Sweat Bet Up To $1,500
+ No Sweat SGP Every Day of NBA Playoffs ??
Claim $1,500
Sportsbook Review may receive advertising commissions for visits to a sportsbook or casino betting site. 21+. Gambling can be addictive, please play responsibly
Best Celtics NBA Finals MVP odds
| Player | Best odds |
|---|---|
| Jayson Tatum | -115 via Caesars |
| Jaylen Brown | +650 via DraftKings |
| Derrick White | +4000 via bet365 |
| Kristapas Porzingis | +5000 via BetMGM |
| Jrue Holiday | +6600 via BetMGM |
| Al Horford | +40000 via DraftKings |
The way that the Celtics play makes this a sneaky hard market to bet into with a ton of confidence. As we've seen throughout the playoffs, on any given night, any of Boston's starters can step up. So far in the playoffs, each of Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, and Jrue Holiday has had a game with at least 42 points + rebounds + assists.
Now with Kristapas Porzingis expected to be back for the NBA Finals, the fight for MVP is even more crowded. While Brown was named the Eastern Conference Finals MVP over Tatum, it's hard to imagine anybody other than the Celtics' best player taking the top honor in the NBA Finals.
For as much flack as the talking heads love to give him, Tatum has been pretty spectacular throughout the playoffs. He's leading the team in points (26.0), rebounds (10.4), and assists (5.9) per game while continuing to be one of the best two-way players in the NBA. Tatum's the heart and soul of the Celtics, and this is his award to lose. The -115 odds imply a 53.49% win probability with a $10 bet paying out $18.70.
Best bet: Jayson Tatum (-115 via Caesars)
$1,000 First Bet on Caesars
Terms and conditions apply.
Claim $1,000
Sportsbook Review may receive advertising commissions for visits to a sportsbook or casino betting site. 21+. Gambling can be addictive, please play responsibly
Best Celtics NBA Finals player props
| Prop | Best odds |
|---|---|
| Series points leader | Jaylen Brown (+1300 via DraftKings) |
| Series threes leader | Derrick White (+500 via bet365) |
| Series rebounds leader | Jayson Tatum (-110 via FanDuel) |
| Series assists leader | Derrick White (+3000 via FanDuel) |
| Series blocks leader | Kristaps Porzingis (+275 via bet365) |
| Series steals leader | Jrue Holiday (+400 via bet365) |
| Jayson Tatum Under 27.2 PPG | -115 via DraftKings |
| Jayson Tatum Over 9.9 RPG | -115 via DraftKings |
| Jaylen Brown Over 1.7 made 3PG | -130 via DraftKings |
| Derrick White Over 2.7 made 3PG | -110 via DraftKings |
Betting into the series stats market has got to be one of the toughest when looking to back the Celtics. That's not because Boston's lineup isn't capable of putting up numbers, but because its style of play lends to everyone sharing the rock. And, of course, with Doncic on the other side averaging near a triple-double, it's tough to feel strongly about anyone on the Celtics outscoring or out-assisting him for the series.
That's especially true with Dallas needing him to put up video-game numbers if it wants to win the NBA Finals. However, Tatum has been a monster on the glass all playoffs, and though he's not Bill Russell pulling in 40 in a game, he's been consistently reaching double-digits.
With Tatum averaging Over 10 per game in each of Boston's three series thus far, it's safe to assume that if he's going to lead the NBA Finals in total rebounds, he'll also clea r his 9.9 per game line. He's finished with fewer than 10 rebounds in just three of 14 playoff games.
But despite his stat-stuffing, he hasn't needed to be the primary scorer every night with the amount of talent around him. That's why I think he'll end up scoring Under 27.2 per game for the series while both Brown and White average Over the line set for their 3-pointers per game. Brown's averaging two make per game in the playoffs while White is up to 3.4.
Best bet: Jayson Tatum to lead series in rebounds (-110 via FanDuel)
Bet $5, Win $150 in Bonus Bets
New customers only. Deposit min. $10. Place first bet of $5+ and get $150 in Bonus Bets if the bet wins (within 72 hours).
Claim $150
Sportsbook Review may receive advertising commissions for visits to a sportsbook or casino betting site. 21+. Gambling can be addictive, please play responsibly
Boston Celtics FAQs
The Celtics are tied with the Lakers for the most NBA championships with 17. This includes a run of winning eight in a row from 1958-59 to 1965-66.
The Celtics last won the NBA championship in 2007-08. Led by Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen, Boston beat the Lakers in six games to win the title.
The Celtics last made the NBA Finals during the 2021-22 season. They lost the series in six games to the Golden State Warriors.
The Celtics have reached the NBA Finals 22 times, only losing it five times.
Check out our best NBA betting sites:
- Caesars Promo Code: SBRBONUS1000 | Read our Caesars Review
- BetMGM Bonus Code: SBRBONUS | Read our BetMGM Review
- bet365 Bonus Code: SBRBONUS | Read our bet365 Review
- BetRive rs Promo Code: SBRBONUS | Read our BetRivers Review
- FanDuel Promo Code | Read our FanDuel Review
- DraftKings Promo Code | Read our DraftKings Review
(21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER)
* Bonuses not applicable in Ontario.
Related pages
- Best Sports Betting Sites | Best Sportsbook Promos (U.S. only)