David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Milwaukee Bucks Betting Favorite After Damian Lillard Trade
The hope in Milwaukee is the Bucks' blockbuster trade for Damian Lillard will propel them to their second NBA title in four years.
It's a reasonable belief, considering they also retained Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez this summer and have now addressed their struggles creating late-game offense in the playoffs by adding one of the best isolation scorers in the league.
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And while SI Sportsbook continues recalculating who it deems the odds on favorite to capture the Larry O'Brien Trophy this season, it's placed Milwaukee ahead of Boston as the most likely team to finish atop the Eastern Conference.
While SI Sportsbook lists the Celtics at +225, the Bucks are now at +175. Behind the cream of the conference, the Sixers are +650, the Cavaliers are +900, and the Heat round out the top five at +1200.
As impressive as Milwaukee's quartet is, and what it's gaining in Lillard outweighs what it's losing in Jrue Holiday, as good of a defender as the latter is, from this vantage point, Boston's about to experience its first campaign with Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown in their primes.
The duo has led the Celtics to the Eastern Conference Finals in four of their first six years together, including coming within two wins of Banner 18 in 2022.
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Boston's also added Kristaps Porzingis, a former All-Star, who's also in his prime. That acquisition gives the C's more positional balance and should have them optimistic about solving what's plagued them the most in recent trips to the playoffs.
The known caveats, like injuries and future transactions, could change the equation, but even if these two teams, as currently constructed, meet in the postseason at full strength, it's two close of a matchup to write the other off.
Further Reading
Celtics Reportedly Recently Pursued Damian Lillard Trade
Bucks Acquiring Damian Lillard a Boost to One Celtics Rival, Potentially Fatal Blow to Another
Evaluating Whether Celtics Should Trade for Jrue Holiday
Brad Stevens Provides Status Updates on Malcolm Brogdon, Kristaps Porzingis Ahead of Training Camp
Jayson Tatum Preparing for Point-Guard Role This Season
Brad Stevens Discusses Differences in Joe Mazzulla Entering Year 2 as Celtics' Head Coach
Here's What to Know About Celtics' 2023-24 Schedule
Examining How Celtics' Starting Lineup Might Shapeshift This Season
Why Celtics Should Enter 2023-24 Season Optimistic About Most Important Area of Improvement
