Despite Udoka Suspension, Celtics Remain NBA Title Favorite

When asked at Monday’s Boston Celtics media day for his initial reaction to head coach Ime Udoka’s one-year suspension, all-star guard Jaylen Brown did not mince words.

“We were all shocked on what was going on, a little confused,” Brown told reporters. “But a lot of the information wasn’t being shared with us. … The best thing we can do is put our best foot forward.”

“We were all shocked… a little confused. A lot of information wasn’t being shared with us.”

Jaylen Brown addressed Ime Udoka suspension pic.twitter.com/83RxCqy7Og

— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) September 26, 2022

Udoka, the Celtics’ second-year coach, received a season-long suspension from the team last week for an allegedly inappropriate relationship with a female staff member. The suspension has thrown the defending Eastern Conference champions into turmoil weeks before their Oct. 7 preseason opener at Charlotte.

Udoka’s shocking suspension triggered an immediate line adjustment at SuperBook Sports, where the Celtics moved to 13/2 to win the NBA title from previous odds of 6/1. The SuperBook also lowered Boston’s season-win total from 54.5 to 52.5 victories. But despite the line movement, the Celtics are still the top choice to win the league championship at several mobile sportsbooks, including BetMGM, Caesars Sportsbook, FanDuel, and PointsBet among others.

If anything, Udoka’s absence could have a larger impact on the Celtics’ season-win total, especially considering the transition for the team over the first several months of the season. At PointsBet, the Celtics’ regular-season win total hovered at 54.5 victories before Udoka’s suspension with a price of -110 on both sides. Now, there is considerable juice on the under of 54.5 at odds of -140.

A return trip to the Finals?

After posting a 51-31 record during the 2021-22 NBA regular season, the Celtics advanced to the NBA Finals with seven-game series wins over the Milwaukee Bucks and Miami Heat, respectively.

The Celtics added depth to the backcourt in the offseason with the acquisition of Malcolm Brogdon from the Pacers for Daniel Theis, Aaron Nesmith, three additional backups, and a 2023 first-round pick. Brogdon is an ideal fit for the Celtics’ switching scheme on defense and will help space the floor on offense.

“The Pacers gave me the option of picking between a few teams. I picked Boston because I want to win,” Brogdon said Monday. “It doesn’t matter if I’m the sixth man, whatever role I’m playing, I’m going to accept and thrive in.”

Despite Udoka’s suspension, the Celtics are still the title favorite at BetMGM with odds of +500. The Golden State Warriors, who defeated the Celtics in the NBA Finals, are the second choice at +600, followed by the Bucks at +650.

Udoka will be replaced on an interim basis by Joe Mazzulla, an assistant coach with the Celtics over the last three seasons. Mazzulla, who becomes the league’s youngest head coach at 34, has odds of 14/1 to win Coach of the Year honors at Bet365, the co-seventh choice overall.

Celtics’ Joe Mazzulla has some interesting NBA Coach of the Year chances according to oddsmakers. https://t.co/t0SUXJoUiz

— NESN (@NESN) September 23, 2022

“Udoka will not impact the Celtics’ future odds,” Christian Cipollini, a sports trader at BetMGM, told Sports Handle. “The players on the court are the most important factor considered when setting lines.”

The Celtics also remain as the favorite at FanDuel, although the line drifted upward from +500 to +550. On the conference futures’ market, the Celtics moved up slightly to +270 from prior odds of +260. Kevin Hennessy, a FanDuel spokesman, told Sports Handle that Udoka’s suspension represents a unique situation, but did not lead to any major shifts.

Momentum for the Clippers

Udoka’s suspension has prompted some books to drop the Celtics as the favorite. On Monday, the Los Angeles Clippers became the top choice to win the title at DraftKings, with odds of +550, ahead of the Celtics and the Warriors, the co-second choices at +600.

The Clippers have confirmed that two-time NBA Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard will participate in training camp, where he has been cleared for 5-on-5 drills. Leonard missed all of last season while recovering from a torn knee ligament.

In light of Udoka’s absence, the Celtics are no longer the favorites at the SuperBook either. The honor goes to the Warriors, who had odds of 11/2 as of Tuesday afternoon. The Clippers should be title favorites, according to Jeff Sherman, vice president of risk management at SuperBook Sports, but the sportsbook has not seen enough support for them at current levels. Both the Clippers and Celtics are the second choice at the SuperBook at 13/2.

Sherman made the adjustment on the Celtics amid reports that Boston forward/center Robert Williams III will miss 8-12 weeks while recovering from knee surgery. Udoka’s suspension had a larger effect on the downward adjustment, Sherman told Sports Handle, since there are indications that Williams’ injury is not a long-term concern.

Robert Williams III shared an update on his recent knee surgery and explained why he has no regrets about coming back early last spring. https://t.co/qhGcSa9q5V

— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) September 26, 2022

Massachusetts regulators have yet to set a timeline for when online sports betting will become operational in the Bay State. During last week’s Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) meeting, the MGC did not indicate whether it plans to set a universal start date for online sports betting statewide.