Teams are still fighting for the 2016 Larry O’Brien Trophy, but the 2017 NBA title opening odds have already been released by the Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook. The Warriors unsurprisingly come in as heavy 3/2 favorites. The Cavaliers already punched their ticket for this year’s finals and are second, with 5/2 odds. Then there’s the Spurs, Thunder, and Clippers, as you’d expect rounding off the top five.
But then there’s the Celtics with 20/1 odds -- sixth-best in the NBA -- to raise Banner 18.
With eight draft picks and a chunk of cap space, the Celtics are in a position to capitalize on any opportunities that may come their way. There is a lot of uncertainty at this point in the NBA calendar, so Vegas must be hedging their bets on the Celtics making a leap towards contender status.
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Celtics fans will also be happy to know the Nets have 500/1 odds to hoist the trophy next season, which ranks last of all teams. The Celtics have the right to swap first-round picks with the Nets in the 2017 draft, which could give them another swing at a superstar prospect.
For full draft profiles of players the Celtics could draft this year, click here.
| Team | Opening odds |
|---|---|
| Golden State Warriors | 3/2 |
| Cleveland Cavaliers | 5/2 |
| San Antonio Spurs | 6/1 |
| Oklahoma City Thunder | 8/1 |
| Los Angeles Clippers | 16/1 |
| Boston Celtics | 20/1 |
| Toronto Raptors | 25/1 |
| Miami Heat | 25/1 |
| Chicago Bulls | 40/1 |
| Atlanta Hawks | 40/1 |
| Minnesota Timberwolves | 60/1 |
| New Orleans Pelicans | 60/1 |
| Houston Rockets | 60/1 |
| Portland Trail Blazers | 60/1 |
| Memphis Grizzlies | 80/1 |
| Utah Jazz | 80/1 |
| Charlotte Hornets | 80/1 |
| Washington Wizards | 100/1 |
| Indiana Pacers | 100/1 |
| Dallas Mavericks | 100/1 |
| Milwaukee Bucks | 100/1 |
| Detroit Pistons | 100/1 |
| Los Angeles Lakers | 100/1 |
| New York Knicks | 100/1 |
| Sacramento Kings | 100/1 |
| Philadelphia 76ers | 100/1 |
| Orlando Magic | 100/1 |
| Denver Nuggets | 100/1 |
| Phoenix Suns | 300/1 |
| Brooklyn Nets | 500/1 |