Per ESPN's 538, Celtics are now title favorites

[footey]

https://www.masslive.com/celtics/2020/09/boston-celtics-are-2020-nba-title-favorites-according-to-espns-538-projections-los-angeles-clippers-are-second.html

Mixed feelings. Good that their model projects this, bad for jinz/over-confidence purposes.

I must say, before entering bubble, the Vegas odds were ridiculously long on us winning it all (+ 2000), and I am kicking myself for not laying out $100 on that bet.

[wdleehi]

I am sure it helps that they now have the least number of games left that they have to win.   


But I am not going to argue with how good they are playing. 

[Phantom255x]

So far, the C's have been doing great. What's encouraging is that even when they are sloppy some games, they find ways to win. That's what championship teams are able to do.

Still have a ways to go with this series, but honestly I truly do think the East is open. Toronto and Milwaukee don't look like the world beaters that they seemed before, and if we beat Toronto + Miami upsets MIL, I love our chances at making the Finals

[action781]

https://www.masslive.com/celtics/2020/09/boston-celtics-are-2020-nba-title-favorites-according-to-espns-538-projections-los-angeles-clippers-are-second.html

Mixed feelings. Good that their model projects this, bad for jinz/over-confidence purposes.

I must say, before entering bubble, the Vegas odds were ridiculously long on us winning it all (+ 2000), and I am kicking myself for not laying out $100 on that bet.

I got $100 in at +2500 odds in November.  Kicking myself for not doing $1,000.    Honestly, hardly on my mind when I watch the games though.  Just love watching and rooting for this team so much.  Go Celts!

[Jvalin]

The Rockets need 7 games to eliminate the Thunder (assuming they actually win game 7), yet they are considered 3rd favorites to win the title. Seems legit.

[keevsnick]

A lot of that is because being up 2-0 in their second round series greatly boosts their chances of making the ECF, and the bucks being down 0-1 decreases their likelihood. Meanwhile only one of the LA teams can come out of the west so that somewhat lowers either of those teams odds.

We'll see what happens, need to close down the Raptors and I'd feel a lot better if its MIA the c's play. Want no part of Giannis. As good a defense as the c's have they don't have a good Giannis defender, and Hayward is still likely going to miss at least a chunk of the conference finals.

[KGs Knee]

A lot of that is because being up 2-0 in their second round series greatly boosts their chances of making the ECF, and the bucks being down 0-1 decreases their likelihood. Meanwhile only one of the LA teams can come out of the west so that somewhat lowers either of those teams odds.

We'll see what happens, need to close down the Raptors and I'd feel a lot better if its MIA the c's play. Want no part of Giannis. As good a defense as the c's have they don't have a good Giannis defender, and Hayward is still likely going to miss at least a chunk of the conference finals.

Miami does seem better equipped than Boston to handle Gia, yet I also think they will struggle to keep up with our depth of scoring prowess, Gordy or not.

[footey]

A lot of that is because being up 2-0 in their second round series greatly boosts their chances of making the ECF, and the bucks being down 0-1 decreases their likelihood. Meanwhile only one of the LA teams can come out of the west so that somewhat lowers either of those teams odds.

We'll see what happens, need to close down the Raptors and I'd feel a lot better if its MIA the c's play. Want no part of Giannis. As good a defense as the c's have they don't have a good Giannis defender, and Hayward is still likely going to miss at least a chunk of the conference finals.

By that account, if the Bucks lose tonight, their odds go down even further. 

[hwangjini_1]

A lot of that is because being up 2-0 in their second round series greatly boosts their chances of making the ECF, and the bucks being down 0-1 decreases their likelihood. Meanwhile only one of the LA teams can come out of the west so that somewhat lowers either of those teams odds.

We'll see what happens, need to close down the Raptors and I'd feel a lot better if its MIA the c's play. Want no part of Giannis. As good a defense as the c's have they don't have a good Giannis defender, and Hayward is still likely going to miss at least a chunk of the conference finals.

By that account, if the Bucks lose tonight, their odds go down even further.

and if Milwaukee loses the next two after that i bet their odds will really go down. 

[86MaxwellSmart]

meaningless....it's ESPN, 5/6 "experts" picked The Lakers to beat us in the finals in 2008.

[Sophomore]

meaningless....it's ESPN, 5/6 "experts" picked The Lakers to beat us in the finals in 2008.

Agreed - meaningless. Still don’t see how we get by the Bucks - I’m pulling for Miami to beat them somehow.

[footey]

A lot of that is because being up 2-0 in their second round series greatly boosts their chances of making the ECF, and the bucks being down 0-1 decreases their likelihood. Meanwhile only one of the LA teams can come out of the west so that somewhat lowers either of those teams odds.

We'll see what happens, need to close down the Raptors and I'd feel a lot better if its MIA the c's play. Want no part of Giannis. As good a defense as the c's have they don't have a good Giannis defender, and Hayward is still likely going to miss at least a chunk of the conference finals.

By that account, if the Bucks lose tonight, their odds go down even further.

and if Milwaukee loses the next two after that i bet their odds will really go down. 

LOLTP

[Roy H.]

It means as much as any other expert projection: zero.

[Ogaju]

meaningless....it's ESPN, 5/6 "experts" picked The Lakers to beat us in the finals in 2008.

Agreed - meaningless. Still don’t see how we get by the Bucks - I’m pulling for Miami to beat them somehow.

Beat the Bucks by playing them the same way the Cs played them last year before Kyrie tok over the series and won it for them.

[Scottiej23]

Whenever ESPN use the term "experts" I immediately refer to the phrase "Self-praise is no recommendation"