NBA favourites Boston Celtics dominate Golden State Warriors at TD Garden

(Featured image: Alamy Images)

Written by: Akram Miah

The Boston Celtics dominated the Golden State Warriors with a resounding 140-88 victory at TD Garden. The match was Boston's third by 50+ points this season, becoming the first team to do so in NBA history.

Boston remain 5/2 favourites to capture their 18th NBA Championship. 

Celtics dominant from the get go

The Warriors entered the game coming off an eight-game win streak but the disparity in levels between the two sides was clear from early on. 

The dynamic duo of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, affectionately known as "The Jays," showcased their offensive prowess, combining for an astounding 56 points by halftime. Their exceptional performance set the tone for the Celtics' historic first half.

Boston maintained a remarkable 51% success rate from beyond the arc and 53% from the field. In contrast, the Warriors struggled to find their rhythm, shooting a dismal 39% from the field and 17% from three-point range.

The Celtics also connected on 15 of 24 three-point attempts in the first half. Their defensive efforts were equally impressive, stifling the Warriors' offense and limiting Warriors' point guard Steph Curry's impact on the game. The victory came despite the absence of center Kristaps Porzingis who was out with a quad injury. 

Boston 5/2 favourites for 18th NBA Championship:

The Celtics remain bookies' favourites to capture an eighteenth NBA Championship, with their last coming in 2008 where they disposed of Kobe Bryant's LA Lakers in the Finals. Bet365 offer Boston at 5/2 to secure championship status, with an implied probability of 28.57%. 

2023 champions Denver Nuggets, led by Nikola Jokic, come in as second favourites at 9/2 with 888Sport (an implied probability of 18.18%). The LA Clippers come in at third at 6/1 with BetFred, carrying an implied probability of 14.29%.

What's next for both? 

The win saw the Celtics move to a 48-12 record and maintain their position at the top of the Eastern Conference. The Warriors meanwhile drop to 32-28 and to ninth in the Western Conference. 

The Californians conclude their East coast trip with a commendable 3-1 record and will return to the Chase Center in the West to host the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday.

Boston make the journey to Cleveland for a showdown against the Cavaliers on Tuesday, setting the stage for a thrilling clash between the top two teams in the Eastern Conference in the Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse.

 

 

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