Who’s on course to make the NBA Finals?
Published:The final four are battling for position
After a long season, the NBA Playoffs have whittled the competition down to the final four.
The Boston Celtics are 2-1 up against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference. And the defending champions, the Golden State Warriors, have a 2-1 lead over the Houston Rockets over in the Western Conference.
With a maximum of four games left in either series, the Coral News Team have looked at how the Finals are shaping up…
Eastern Conference
The Celtics comfortably won their opening two home games against the Cavs. A third win, this time in Cleveland, would have almost certainly sealed their place in the Finals.
But this may well be LeBron James’ last season with his hometown franchise. The 14-time All-Star isn’t going to go out with a whimper. He inspired the Cavs to a crucial 116-86 Game 3 win.
The Celtics are still 3/4 favourites to rule the East, but their 1-5 away post-season record could cost them. The Cavs aren’t far behind at 11/10 and anything’s possible with LeBron around.
Game 4 will be key. A 1/3 Cavs win will hand them the momentum. But the Celtics will snuff out their hope if they take a 3-1 lead. They’re 5/2 to win in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
Western Conference
Steph Curry was back to his best in the Warriors’ crushing 126-85 Game 3 win against the Rockets. And that’s ominous for everyone else.
Many fans were wondering if he was still suffering from the effects of his MCL injury during an underwhelming Game 2 display. Those concerns have been banished now.
The Warriors are two wins away from a fourth consecutive Finals appearance. They’re 1/3 favourites to take the title.
And with Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green in their line-up, as well as Curry, they’re the team to beat.
All Odds and Markets correct as of date of publication