The Boston Celtics are back in the NBA Finals for the second time in three years after making quick work of the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals. Now, they await what their opponent, Dallas or Minnesota, will be. It will likely be the Mavericks, who hold a 3-1 series lead after finally dropping a game to Anthony Edwards and the Wolves Tuesday evening in Dallas. So, how did we get here, and who can fans expect to hoist the Larry O’Brien trophy when the final buzzer sounds during this year’s NBA season?
We’re this close to crowning a new NBA Champion, and with the action heating up on the court, it’s even hotter at the sportsbooks. With only so many games remaining, fans looking to get in on the action should focus on finding a fast payout casino that supports in-game bets, parlays, and the best odds for the markets they’re interested in. Boston has -225 odds of winning the championship, while Dallas is at +190, and Minnesota is a long shot (33-1).
Jaylen Brown’s Heroics Lead Celtics to Eastern Conference Sweep
After sweeping the banged-up Pacers 4-0, Jaylen Brown was named the MVP of the series. Brown scored 29 points in the closeout game, shooting 11-22 from the field and 50% from behind the arc. But it was Brown’s performance throughout the series – which started with a game-tying, desperation three-pointer with 6 seconds left in Game 1 when it looked like the Pacers were going to steal the series opener.
Up by three with the ball, Indiana needed to inbound the ball and knock down some free throws to ice the game. Inexplicably, Pacers coach Rick Carlisle failed to call a timeout to advance the ball. The result? An errant pass led to their second turnover in the last 30 seconds of regulation. And, as good teams often do, the Celtics found a way to win.
“Welcome to the NBA playoffs,” Jaylen Brown said after his big shot forced overtime, and the C’s held on to win. “You’ve just got to manage your emotions. Anything can happen. “It’s not over until the final buzzer sounds… It’s not over until it’s over. We found a way to win the game at the very end.” It was a gut-wrenching loss for the Pacers, who played better than anyone expected against the title favorites. But their youth showed down the stretch.
Boston Cruises to Finals Despite Pacers Scare
Game 2 would prove less competitive, with Boston winning 126-110 and taking a commanding lead as the series shifted to Indianapolis. Brown had his best performance of the ECF, matching his playoff career-high of 40 points. Pundits speculated that Brown had some extra motivation going into the game, as he was snubbed from making the All-NBA list of the league’s top 15 players.
Coach Mazzulla quickly dismissed the notion that the extracurricular award influenced Brown’s performance. Brown “understands that winning is the most important thing.” Brown himself brushed off the snub, saying he didn’t have time to care about it as his team was now just “two games from the Finals.”
With the two J’s (Jayson and Jaylen) playing exceptionally well, new-addition Jrue Holiday proving his worth with timely buckets and stifling defense in big moments, and the role players stepping up huge, top-seeded Boston his cruise control and coasted to the Finals for the first time since they lost to Steph Curry and the Warriors in 2022. Their revenge tour seems destined to end in victory. But Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving may have something to say about that.
Timberwolves Stave Off Elimination
The Western Conference Finals has been as lopsided as the East, with the Mavericks up three games to none over the Timberwolves. The one-two punch of Luka and Kyrie has been too much for the young Minnesota squad to overcome – at least until Tuesday night.
With a chance to close out the series and punch their ticket to the Finals, Dallas could not finish off the desperate Wolves, who, to their credit, kept scrapping and fighting until the final whistle blew, and they managed to extend their season.
Facing harsh criticism for his lackluster play thus far in the series, Karl-Anthony Towns showed up and showed out for Minnesota. Towns scored 25 points on 9-13 shooting, knocking down 4 of his 5 attempts from three, including three huge threes late in the fourth quarter.
Towns and Edwards Erupt, McDaniels Locks Down Kyrie
The future face of the NBA, Anthony Edwards, was much more aggressive. He scored 29 points on 11-25 shooting and knocked down 7 jump shots. The young buck knocked down a clutch jumper with under a minute remaining to put the Wolves up by 5 points.
One major adjustment was Jayden McDaniels, who shifted defensive duties to Kyrie Irving (holding him to 6-18 shooting, 1-6 from three, for only 16 points) while Edwards took Luka. The desperation of the situation brought out Ant’s best defensive game of the series, but Doncic still managed to record another playoff triple-double (28 points, 15 rebounds, 10 assists).
For now, Boston can celebrate and relax as they game plan for the Finals. As for their future opponent, Game 5 shifts back to Minnesota on Thursday night, with the Wolves favored to win by 4.5 points.
