Round 1 has been electric, and last night provided one of the biggest series upsets in NBA history. The eighth seeded Miami Heat took down the heavily favored Milwaukee Bucks, who had the lowest odds to win the title heading into the postseason. Even with Giannis back on the court for games 4 and 5, Jimmy Butler established himself as the most dominant player on the court, leading the Heat into the second round. While I did tell you to consider the Celtics over the Bucks in the East, nobody saw a first-round exit coming for the top seed. It was a shocking outcome to say the least, with Miami completing the gentlemen’s sweep on the road in Game 5. They now await the New York Knicks, who completed a slight upset of their own, dispatching of the higher seeded Cleveland Cavaliers. The Knicks dominated this series throughout and will continue to ride Jalen Brunson as far as he can take them. The door is wide open for the Celtics, who would have home court advantage throughout the playoffs, but they are struggling to put away Trae Young and the Hawks. The scrappy 7 seed came from 13 down in the fourth to force a game 6, and the Celtics now must get back to Atlanta to try and close it out before a 7th game is needed. If they do advance Thursday, the well-rested 76ers await, after easily sweeping the Nets. Embiid has to be pleased with the Hawks extension of the series, so he can rest up his knee and get ready for a showdown that will now likely determine who comes out of the conference.

Despite their struggles in Game 5, the Celtics got a huge break with Milwaukee bailing in Round 1. Tatum and co. will have homecourt advantage throughout the postseason, and have the experience to get over the hump this time. While we already got them at +170 to win the east, they are now too heavily favored to double down. At this point, the value sits on Boston to win the whole thing. Without Giannis, and without a dominant team out west, the Celtics are in a prime position. At +165, now is the time to pounce.