NBA Eastern/Western Conference Finals Preview

We’re down to four, The 2023-24 NBA champion is going to be crowned in Indiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota or Texas, with the conference finals beginning Tuesday (Indiana Pacers at Boston Celtics) and Wednesday (Dallas Mavericks at Minnesota Timberwolves) evenings, respectively. 

It was both Game 7 road teams winning to provide these pairings. The Indiana Pacers shot the lights out (playoff-record 67.1 percent field-goal percentage) inside Madison Square Garden, blowing away the injury-depleted New York Knicks with a 130-point barrage. 

The second game found the Minnesota Timberwolves eliminating the defending-champion Denver Nuggets, using an historic comeback (down 20 in the second half) to win going away. 

Here is a look at the conference finals odds, along with odds to win the Larry O’Brien Trophy. 

Celtics in East

The Boston Celtics have been favored to win the NBA championship all season long, They are 8-2 so far in the postseason, a pair of home hiccups to the Miami Heat and Cleveland Cavaliers, respectively. Though without Kristaps Porzingis (injured calf), it is hoped he’s back in this series. 

As was mentioned, Indiana torched the Knicks in New York Sunday afternoon, leaving no doubt at the outset. Indy’s five starters scored between 17 and 26 points as the Pacers didn’t take their collective feet off the pedal (70 points in the first half, 60 points in the second half). 

Boson was able to take advantage of a Cav team without leading scorer Donovan Mitchel;

Ahead of this series, Boston is a huge (-820) favorite, while the Pacers are priced at +620, according to NBA conference finals odds.

Indiana was the league leader in offense (121.9 points per game) this season, Boston finished second (119.2 points/game). 

While Tyrese Halibuton and the Pacers have been hot, it’s difficult (though no value) to surmise the Celtics won’t prevail.  

West’s Twosome Tight

The Minnesota Timberwolves-Dallas Mavericks conference final in the West is a pairing few envisioned. Dallas excised both the Los Angeles Clippers and top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder (six games each), while Minnesota took out the Phoenix Suns (five game) and defending-champ Denver Nuggets (seven). 

With second-half rallies in both close-out games, Dallas erased a 17-point deficit to eliminate OKC Saturday evening, Minny was 20 points in arrears at Denver before bouncing the Nuggets. 

It’s the Timberwolves as -175 favorites to win this series, Dallas at +155.

 This has the potential to go the distance, but with Anthony Edwards leading a young roster that’s tough at both ends of the floor, it will be the Minnesota Timberwolves who advance. 

Winning the Title

As the defending-champion Denver Nuggets were one of the two big betting choices to win the NBA title, their exits does shift the board.
It’s the Boston Celtics remaining the favorites, a minus-money (-160) proposition, as per NBA championship odds.

The Minnesota Timberwolves are 5-2 (+250) second choices, eying a first-ever championship in the history of the franchise (shoutout to the Minneapolis Lakers, winners of five titles).

The Dallas Mavericks are 5-1 (+500), while if you’re a fan/believer of the Indiana Pacers, grab that 30-1 (+3000).

There are other Finals-related wagers available as well, including MVP and exact series results.

Concerning the latter prop… 

Boston over Dallas 5-2 (+250)

Boston over Minnesota 3-2 (+150)

Indiana over Dallas 50-1 (+5000)

Indiana over Minnesota 50-1 (+5000)
Dallas over Boston 15-2 (+750)

Dallas over Indiana 25-1 (+2500)

Minnesota over Boston 15-4 (+375)

Minnesota over Indiana 16-1 (+1600)