Celtics Claim Eastern Conference Championship After a Dominant Second Half

Evergreen Header Image
Author Profile
TeamOdds
Boston Celtics
+100
Miami Heat
+127
Milwaukee Bucks
+400
Philadelphia 76ers
+1200
Toronto Raptors
+4000
Brooklyn Nets
+5000
Cleveland Cavaliers
+9761
Charlotte Hornets
+17145
Atlanta Hawks
+22223
Chicago Bulls
+27274
Washington Wizards
+65527
New York Knicks
+65527
Orlando Magic
+66678
Detroit Pistons
+66678
Indiana Pacers
+100000

The Boston Celtics had a dominant second halve of the regular season (17-5) to boost them into the playoffs on a high note. The Celtics made easy work of the presumptive Eastern Conference favorites, Brooklyn Nets, in a four-game sweep. From there the Celtics were forced to face the defending champs in Milwaukee, where they once again prevailed, but in a tense seven-game series. Ultimately, Boston squared off against the Miami Heat in another grueling seven game series, where they won nail-biter on the road to secure their spot in the NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors.

Updated June 10, 2022 at 12:42 PM EST

What to Watch for in the Eastern Conference Playoffs Race

Jump To: Atlantic | Central | Southeast

Atlantic Division

Jump To: Boston Celtics | Brooklyn Nets | New York Knicks | Philadelphia 76ers | Toronto Raptors

The Nets hold a razor thin advantage over the rest of the Atlantic Division, but the 76ers are breathing down their necks. The Celtics, Raptors, and Knicks are not too far behind and could easily reduce the gap between themselves and Brooklyn with a little win streak, especially right now as the Nets are not at full strength. Keep an eye on the Brooklyn Nets' form over the next few weeks as they desperately try to fend off the rest of the division while they get healthy and make a push in the second half of the season. For the rest of the division, will they be able to win consistently enough to close the gap or even overtake the Nets? Most eyes are on the 76ers and their established core of veterans who know how to win in the regular season.

Central Division

Jump To: Chicago Bulls | Cleveland Cavaliers | Detroit Pistons | Indiana Pacers | Milwaukee Bucks

The Central Division is a surprisingly competitive race in the Eastern Conference. The defending champion Milwaukee Bucks shockingly find themselves a few games adrift of the top spot in the division. Despite dealing with a recent rash of injuries, the Chicago Bulls find themselves leading the way. Most shockingly, the Cleveland Cavaliers, who were expected to finish near the bottom of the league in 2022, are right in the thick of things early on. While the Bucks are still the odds on favorite to take the Central, they are currently getting everything that they can handle and more. How long until they take the reins on the division, or will the Bulls and Cavs keep them at bay?

Southeast Division

Jump To: Atlanta Hawks | Charlotte Hornets | Miami Heat | Orlando Magic | Washington Wizards

The Miami Heat are sitting strong atop the Southeast, which has become commonplace in the division over the years. A disappointing season so far from the Atlanta Hawks has minimized some of the Southeast competition, leaving only the Hornets and Wizards as potential threats to the Heat. Perhaps the biggest question in the Southeast is whether or not a very young Charlotte Hornets team, led by LaMelo Ball, will have the ability to maintain a level of consistency throughout the season to push the Heat to the brink. Don't be surprised if either the Hornets or the Wizards make some noise at the trade deadline to propel their playoff chances.

Bet the Latest Futures Odds for the NBA Playoffs

Do you feel confident about which teams are going to make the NBA Playoffs in 2022? Pick your favorite teams to make it to the postseason now to get the best futures odds for a higher payout later.

Updated January 27, 2022 at 2:25pm EST.

FUTURESConsensusCons.
Boston CelticsCeltics
+100
N/A
+150
-150
-150
-167
Miami HeatHeat
+127
N/A
+115
+130
+125
+137
Milwaukee BucksBucks
+400
N/A
+325
N/A
N/A
+400
Philadelphia 76ers76ers
+1200
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
+1200
Toronto RaptorsRaptors
+4000
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
+4000
Brooklyn NetsNets
+5000
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
+5000
Cleveland CavaliersCavaliers
+9761
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
+8000
Charlotte HornetsHornets
+17145
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
+15000
Atlanta HawksHawks
+22223
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
+25000
Chicago BullsBulls
+27274
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
+25000
Washington WizardsWizards
+65527
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
+50000
New York KnicksKnicks
+65527
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
+50000
Orlando MagicMagic
+66678
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
+50000
Detroit PistonsPistons
+66678
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
+50000
Indiana PacersPacers
+100000
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
+100000
NBA Eastern Conference Champion Odds FAQs
Can I bet on NBA conference title winners?
Right Arrow
How do NBA odds work?
Right Arrow
How many divisions are there in the Eastern Conference?
Right Arrow
How many teams are there in the Eastern Conference?
Right Arrow
Who won the Eastern Conference in 2020-21
Right Arrow
Which team has won the most Eastern Conference titles?
Right Arrow