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Boston Celtics’ NBA Finals odds surge following Jrue Holiday trade

By Peter Dewey

Mar 29, 2023; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Jrue Holiday (21) dribbles the ball in the first quarter against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 29, 2023; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Jrue Holiday (21) dribbles the ball in the first quarter against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Boston Celtics made a huge splash on Sunday, reportedly agreeing to a deal with the Portland Trail Blazers for All-Star guard Jrue Holiday.

Holiday, who was dealt to Portland by the Milwaukee Bucks in the Damian Lillard trade, has one year left on his deal and then a player option for the 2024-25 season.

Boston parted ways with big man Robert Williams III, guard Malcolm Brogdon, and two draft picks in the Holiday trade. It was a necessary move, especially since the team may have damaged the relationship with Brogdon by dangling him in trade talks this offseason.

The move significantly altered the futures landscape of the NBA. Oddsmakers have now moved Boston ahead of the Denver Nuggets for a tie for first in the NBA Finals odds. Only the Milwaukee Bucks have the same odds as Boston this season.

Latest odds to win the NBA Finals

Boston is now +400 to win the NBA Finals, marking the second straight season where the team has been the favorite to win the title.

The Celtics entered as the favorites last season, but they lost in the Eastern Conference Finals to the Miami Heat.

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Jrue Holiday fits a huge need for Boston

Portland was looking to get future draft capital by rerouting Holiday, and the Celtics are able to replace their defensive need at the guard position.

After trading away Marcus Smart in the deal that brought Kristaps Porzingis to Boston, the Celtics needed a guard they could rely on for an entire season. Given Brogdon’s injury issues, it was hard to tab him as that piece.

Holiday should step in and immediately boost the team on both ends at the point guard spot.

The Celtics should have one of the better starting lineups in basketball with Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Porzingis, Holiday, and likely Derrick White or Al Horford.

Oddsmakers clearly think that Boston and Milwaukee are on the same level, which is huge for Boston considering the jump Milwaukee made after trading for Lillard.

Now, Holiday and the Celtics can show Milwaukee why it made the wrong move trading away the All-Star guard this offseason.

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Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

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