Bucks leapfrog Celtics in NBA Finals odds for first time this season

For the first time this season, the Milwaukee Bucks are favored to win the NBA Finals over the Boston Celtics. With a 2.5-game lead over Boston and Philadelphia in the Eastern Conference, Milwaukee is poised to secure home-court advantage in the playoffs thanks, in large part, to the sensational play of MVP candidate Giannis Antetokounmpo.

As the Bucks enter the home stretch of the regular season, what are the odds across the league to win the title? Is Milwaukee worth a bet as the new favorite?

Bucks NBA Finals odds

The case for Milwaukee to win the Finals

The Bucks were my preseason pick to win it all, and they’re still a great bet even as favorites. Giannis is averaging a career-high 31.3 points per game on over 54% shooting to go with 11.9 rebounds and 5.6 assists per contest.

He’s not alone in powering Milwaukee though. Brook Lopez is the betting favorite to win the Defensive Player of the Year award, while the team is 21-6 when Khris Middleton plays. Jrue Holiday remains one of the league’s best guards, particularly defensively, so this versatile squad is reminiscent of the 2021 title team.

Since the All-Star break, the Bucks have the NBA’s third-best net rating (6.4) with a top-seven offense AND defense.

Getting home-court advantage is critical, as Milwaukee is 29-7 at home this season. Philadelphia and Boston are both worse on the road, so getting an extra home game in a seven-game series against either team will prove beneficial.

The clock is ticking to get in on the Bucks’ odds. If you don’t already have a futures bet on the newly-crowned favorites, I’d recommend jumping on board before it’s too late.

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Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

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Author: Joseph Summers
5:41 pmMarch 20, 2023