The Boston Celtics now sit squarely atop the projections by data wizards FiveThirtyEight’s 2020 NBA title odds after their sweep of the Philadelphia 76ers.
Previously — and perhaps in many eyes, prematurely — ranked second on this list of champion aspirants, Boston’s dominant performance in their first round series against the Sixers seems to have made quite the impression.
Combining with some less-than-convincing outings by their Western Conference peers, FiveThirtyEight data scientists now lean to the green as the most likely champions of the Disney bubble restart.
They are projected to possess a 21% chance of winning the Finals, and a 39% shot at coming out of the East to do it, followed by the Houston Rockets, who garnered an 18% chance at emerging as the champs.
Raptors guard Kyle Lowry has sprained ankle, no timetable to return https://t.co/BnPYvXeA6w
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) August 24, 2020
The Los Angeles Clippers are now in third place with 17% title odds, and Lakers tie them at that number with slightly lower odds to make their conference finals, and the Milwaukee Bucks round out the top five with a 10% chance at winning it all.
How the Celtics respond in their early games with the Toronto Raptors — their second-round opponents — will dictate how long Boston remains in pole position, with the defending champs likely the first real test of the Celtics postseason mettle.
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