Celts/Heat And Nuggets/Lakers NBA Semis

Oh I sensed it, and now the odds against a Celts/Lakers final round clash have dropped considerably.

Each of these great franchises, one the Lakers that I once loved, the other the Celtics, who I never truly disliked raised their already stellar quarterfinal series records, with respective 6 games triumphs vs Golden State and a 6th #7 triumph vs the Sixers nee Syracuse Nationals franchise.

Many more notes will follow.

Neither of the semis opponents are pushovers, in fact the Western Conference top ranked, Nikola Jokic led Denver Nuggets are (-135) series faves (alas both Memphis and Golden State were in that range, favorites, but in each entity, L.A. prevailed in 6 games), while the Jimmy Butler led Miami Heat are a viable threat as well.

However, somewhat surprisingly Boston is roughly a 5 to 1 series fave and I think they will win,

A big reason is that I feel they will benefit from the fact that Miami (5-0) as is the case with the Nuggets and Lakers, (each 6-0), are unbeaten at home. (Almost every NBA or NHL ‘offs team loses at least one ‘offs game at home and while certainly possible, especially with as great a player as Butler on their team, I doubt Miami will win twice at Boston, as I feel that need will manifest).

As for Denver (0-4) in semis, thrice losing to the Lakers, I predict splits in the 2 at home games to start the “semi,” with both teams finally losing at home.

So Boston/Denver to clash is even, and it is 8 to 5 on what would be “Chai” for one of them (Celts and Lakers each have 17 crowns, 18 or chai if one wins this time), and a “no matter what win” for Disney/ABC if it is Celts/Lakers.