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Are the Celtics a Safe NBA Betting Pick to Win the 2018 Championship?
Boston doesn’t bend the knee to anyone #CUsRise pic.twitter.com/ALYggFWV3t
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) 12 de mayo de 2018
Trusting the Numbers
First and foremost, I like the C’s to get past Cleveland in the Eastern Conference Finals after witnessing their Game 1 demolition of LeBron James and company. The Celtics appear to have the much deeper roster, outside of James of course…and I like the fact that Boston has absolutely ‘no fear’ whatsoever, unlike the fearful Toronto Raptors. While Boston was fairly moderate in terms of scoring during the regular season, they’ve been a lot more dangerous since the start of the postseason. Boston ranked an uninspiring 20th in scoring (104.0 ppg) during the regular season while also ranking 21st in field goal shooting percentage (45.0%). Surprisingly, Boston was one of the best three-point shooting teams around in ranking an encouraging second in three-point shooting (37.7%) although again, that should be tempered with some moderation, seeing as how they rank 17th in free throw shooting (77.1%). The best thing about Boston this season – and something we’ve seen them display during their run to the confer3ence finals is a swarming defense. Boston ranked third in points allowed this season (100.4 ppg), second in field goal shooting defense (44.0%) while leading the league in defending the three-point shot (33.9%). Boston was also equally as adept at winning on the road (28-13) as they were at home (27-14). While the Celtics are without all-star Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward, they’ve done more than adequate at filling their absences.Team Rankings
- Average Score For: 20
- Offensive rebounds: 21
- Offensive Field Goal Percentage: 21
- Average Score Against: 3
- Defensive rebounds: 8
- Defensive Field Goal Percentage: 23
Playoffs Run
Since the playoffs began, Boston has found out they’ve got a young star in fearless backup point guard Terry Rozier (17.4 ppg), what many now believe is the best rookie in the league in super composed 19-year-old rookie forward Jayson Tatum (18.6 ppg), and another star in the making in athletic, high-flying second-year swingman Jaylen Brown (17.4 ppg).
Boston has seen veteran big man Al Horford (17.2 ppg) raise his game to another level this postseason and the C’s are getting some seriously significant contributions from veterans, Marcus Morris (12.9 ppg) and Marcus Smart (10.4 ppg).
Last but not least, outside of Gregg Popovich and Steve Kerr, Boston also has the best coach on the plant today in Brad Stevens – and oh, did I forget to mention that Boston plays Golden State as well as any team in the league, having split the last six meetings against the Dubs evenly?
Now, the Celtics are not the safest NBA Betting pick to win it all, but next to Golden State, they’re definitely my second choice. 
