The Boston Celtics enter the 2024-25 NBA season riding the high of a dominant title run, which saw them finish with 64 regular-season wins and capture the championship with a commanding five-game victory over the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA Finals.
Led by Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and a talented supporting cast, the Celtics boast a well-rounded team. Boston’s success is built on the league’s most efficient offense, backed by a versatile defense capable of adjusting to any opponent. With head coach Joe Mazzulla implementing a versatile offensive system that thrives on spacing and ball movement, the Celtics were able to keep defenses guessing. Their defensive prowess, led by Jrue Holiday and Derrick White, gives them the flexibility to contain different matchups while Kristaps Porzingis protects the rim on the backline. This is a team built for sustained success.
Heading into this season, the Celtics are once again viewed as the frontrunners in the Eastern Conference, with DraftKings Sportsbook placing them as the favorites to claim the No. 1 seed at -105. Tatum, who has finished in the top six in MVP voting in each of the last three seasons, enters the year as one of the top candidates for MVP, sitting at +1800 odds.
With their championship core intact, the Celtics are well-positioned to make another deep playoff run. If they reach the Finals again, who is favored to join them?
Oklahoma City Thunder’s Rapid Rise
While Boston continues its reign atop the NBA, the Oklahoma City Thunder are quickly emerging as one of the most exciting and dangerous teams in the league. Many view them as a serious threat to not only reach the Finals but to win it.
Last season, the Thunder won 57 games and secured the top seed in the Western Conference, led by the stellar play of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Gilgeous-Alexander, who averaged 30.1 points per game, has developed into one of the league’s premier talents, and he enters the new season as one of the top MVP candidates with +600 odds on DraftKings Sportsbook.
Heading into the new season, Oklahoma City is +165 on DraftKings Sportsbook to finish as the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference, reflecting their growing reputation as serious contenders. Their young roster, combined with defensive depth and the continued rise of Gilgeous-Alexander, positions the Thunder as a team to watch.
The Thunder’s strength lies in their defense, which ranked among the league’s best last season. In addition to Gilgeous-Alexander’s MVP-caliber impact, Oklahoma City has an impressive collection of talent, including rising star Chet Holmgren who is returning from an impressive rookie season and offers a unique blend of shot-blocking and perimeter shooting. Luguentz Dort is an elite on-ball defender, while Jalen Williams showed dynamic all-around qualities as a crafty wing with explosive athleticism in his second season.
The addition of Alex Caruso, a proven defensive specialist, and Isaiah Hartenstein, a strong rim protector, further solidifies Oklahoma City’s status as a defensive powerhouse. Going from Josh Giddey to Caruso removes a liability at spacing and defense for a player elite in both 3-and-D qualities. Meanwhile, Hartenstein should help this team’s rebounding—an area that plagued them throughout last season.
Williams’ continued rise shouldn’t be overlooked either. While he struggled against the Mavericks in the Western Conference semifinals, he showed legitimate star potential on the wing. With improved spacing and now having postseason experience, he is a legitimate threat to reach another level.
Most Likely NBA Finals Outcome: Celtics Over Thunder (+1700)
A potential NBA Finals matchup between the Celtics and Thunder would showcase a fascinating clash of strengths: Boston’s dynamic offense versus Oklahoma City’s elite defense. According to DraftKings Sportsbook, the Celtics defeating the Thunder in the Finals is listed at +1700 odds, making this outcome one of the more intriguing possibilities for the upcoming season.
Boston’s offense, spearheaded by Tatum and Brown, is built to exploit defensive mismatches with efficient ball movement and spacing. However, their depth and experience in high-pressure situations give them a significant edge in tight games, especially in a playoff series. Oklahoma City will benefit from adding Caruso for this particular matchup—providing multiple hard-nosed options to switch onto the Celtics’ stars. Holmgren already displayed dynamic impact as a rim protector and will surely only improve as he adds muscle.
If the Thunder can maintain their defensive identity against the Celtics’ lethal offense while giving Gilgeous-Alexander enough help offensively, they could pose a serious threat to any contender, including Boston.
In a potential Finals matchup, the Celtics’ experience and offensive firepower might prove to be the difference. While the Thunder’s youth and athleticism make them a dangerous team, Boston’s proven ability to perform under pressure, combined with their championship pedigree, could give them the upper hand in a best-of-seven series.
Naturally, it’s challenging to project too far into the future since health plays a real role in how a season can play out. Porzingis is entering this season sidelined after undergoing surgery on a torn retinaculum and dislocated posterior tibialis tendon. His health was a factor even in the Celtics’ championship run but the team managed to overcome it.
For now, a Celtics championship repeat while taking down the Thunder is an intriguing potential outcome to consider with many months until June. Regardless, it wouldn’t be farfetched to come to fruition.
The Crown Is Yours: Sign up for DraftKings and experience the ultimate host for games and betting experiences!
All odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.
I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is grant-afseth) and may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and do not constitute a representation that any particular strategy will guarantee success. All customers should use their own skill and judgment in building lineups. I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above. I am not an employee of DraftKings and do not have access to any non-public information.