The Golden State Warriors are the favorites to win next year’s championship, but that could change during an offseason with big-name free agents on the market.

The Warriors are 5-1 to win the 2023 NBA title at Caesars Sportsbook, followed closely by the Brooklyn Nets and Boston Celtics, who are each listed at 6-1. The Milwaukee Bucks (15-2), Phoenix Suns (8-1) and Los Angeles Clippers (8-1) round out the teams with single-digit odds entering the offseason.

Kyrie Irving, Bradley Beal, Zach LaVine, Jalen Brunson, James Harden and DeAndre Ayton are among the free agents who could shake up the title odds this offseason. But for now the Warriors are the favorites and have their core stars under contract. They’ve already attracted at least one big bet, too. Caesars Sportsbook reported taking a $10,000 bet on the Warriors to win next year’s title from a bettor in Colorado in late May.

“I’d say it’s more wide open at the top now than it was in previous seasons,” Adam Pullen, assistant director of trading, said in a company release. “Usually with the NBA, you can count the title contenders on one hand. Here, you can look at 10 teams that you can make a legitimate case for.”

Golden State knocked off Boston on Thursday in a clinching Game 6 103-90 win in the NBA Finals. It was the Warriors’ fourth title in the last eight seasons. Golden State joins Boston, the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers as the only franchises to win four titles in an eight-year span.

The Warriors didn’t start as the favorites at sportsbooks this season. Golden State tipped off the season with 10-1 odds to win the title, behind the Lakers, Nets and Bucks at Caesars Sportsbook. But the Warriors stayed near the top of the standings in the Western Conference for much of the season and fought their way through the playoffs to win their fourth title under coach Steve Kerr.

“I think it was a no-brainer to have the Warriors as the favorite,” Pullen added. “When they’re healthy, you can’t argue with their pedigree over the last decade. Everything points to the Warriors being the favorite.”

Other notable championship odds for next season, according to Caesars Sportsbook, include: Miami Heat (14-1), Philadelphia 76ers (16-1), Dallas Mavericks (16-1), Memphis Grizzlies (16-1), Los Angeles Lakers (22-1), Bulls (60-1) and New York Knicks (150-1).

The Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, Sacramento Kings and Orlando Magic have the longest championship odds, each listed at 1,000-1.

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BOSTON — For the fourth time in eight years, the Golden State Warriors have been crowned the NBA champions, as they beat the Boston Celtics 103-90 on Thursday night in Game 6 of the NBA Finals.

The Warriors became just the second team in NBA history to win a championship on Boston’s home court.

Stephen Curry led the way for Golden State, scoring 34 points on 12-of-21 scoring, including 6-of-11 from 3-point range. He added seven assists, seven rebounds and two steals.

But Thursday night’s title-clinching win was a display of the Warriors’ depth, and the number of players who could step up on any given night.

Draymond Green played his best game of the series, scoring 12 points on 5-of-10 shooting, 12 rebounds, eight assists, two steals and two blocks. He also hit two 3-pointers after missing his first 12 attempts of the series. He struggled on the other hand, however. With Green as the primary defender, the Celtics shot just 9-of-17 from the floor on Thursday night.

Andrew Wiggins continued his strong series, finishing with 18 points, six rebounds, five assists, four steals and three blocks. Jordan Poole added 15 off the bench, while Klay Thompson scored 12 points. Gary Payton II had just six points, but finished with a plus-18 net-rating.

Up to this point, the Warriors had struggled to close out series this postseason. Heading into Game 6, Golden State was 0-3 in close-out games on the road, and the Celtics were 3-0 when facing elimination.

Early on, it looked as though both were destined for the same fate, as Boston jumped out to a 14-2 lead four minutes in. But what transpired over the next nine minutes defined the game, ultimately bringing the Warriors to their seventh double-digit comeback win this postseason. That’s tied for the most by any team in the past 25 postseasons (the 2011 and 2012 Heat both had seven).

With about a minute and a half left in the first quarter, Green hit his first 3-pointer of the series to put the Warriors down just one. Curry followed that play with a 3-pointer to give the Warriors’ their first lead of the night. Poole put the icing on this sequence with a 29-foot 3-pointer the next trip down.

The Warriors outscored the Celtics 35-8 from the middle of the first quarter into the middle of the second, including a 21-0 run that lasted four minutes.

As the Warriors continued their aerial assault, the Celtics fans that made TD Garden one of the hardest arenas to play in sunk quietly into their seats, and the travelling fans in blue and gold became louder and bolder.

The Celtics made several pushes. Late in the third quarter, they even cut the Warriors’ lead to nine.

Boston continued making timely shots in the fourth, keeping itself within arms length. But the Celtics could get no closer than that. The Warriors forced stops, then kept hitting shots, and when it was time to put the Celtics away, they did.

The Warriors stormed the court as time expired, with players such as Curry, Green and Thompson finally getting back the feeling they had experienced many times before, while younger players such as Wiggins, Poole and Gary Payton II felt it for the first time.

It was a full circle moment for Golden State.

Two years after questions about their dynasty rose, they proved they still have it in them. After missing the playoffs for two straight seasons, they had just won the title. After having the league’s worst record two years ago, they are the best team in the NBA.

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Temperatures are rising across Chicago (hello 95-degree weather!) which means it’s time to grab your swimsuit and head to the nearest public pool. Whether you’re a seasoned swimmer or more comfortable floating around in the shallow end, these pools offer endless fun in our beautiful city. Most of these spots offer locker rooms to change, lounge chairs, and lap lanes. Of course, pool hours vary and can change anytime so be sure to check before go!

Image credit: Chicago Park District

3035 N. Hoyne Ave. Chicago, IL 60618

This popular Roscoe Village location fills up quicker than TAO on a Saturday night. Get here early to secure a chair and you’ll be golden. The pool ranges from 3 to 7 feet which is nice for both adults and kids. Stop by the dog park to pet all the puppies afterwards or catch a game at one of the baseball diamonds!

958 N. Sacramento Ave. Chicago, IL 60622

Did someone say waterslide? Yep, this location has one! Spend your day paddling along in their 25 foot long pool and dive down to depths of up to 10 feet. A great day, indeed. 

2534 N. Greenview Ave. Chicago, IL 60614

Time to pack up the kiddos and their swim toys. This West Depaul pool is on the smaller side at 15 yards long and only 3 feet deep which is perfect for newbies. Pro-tip: you’ll want to avoid cannonballs since it’s so shallow.

2526 W. Grand Ave. Chicago, IL 60612

How are there so many public pools in Chicago? Here’s another great option! Do a few (short) laps in their 5 lane, 25 foot pool with depths of up to 9 feet. Go ahead, swim your heart out!

1401 S. Sacramento Dr. Chicago, IL 60623

Head to this West Side location within sprawling Douglass Park for hours of fun. Some things you’ll love about this pool: it ranges from 3 to 11 feet with 50 yards and 6 swimming laps. Plus there’s an ADA Lift for our disabled friends. 

3516 W. School St. Chicago, IL 60618

At just 15 yards long and 3 foot deep, this mini pool is another great option for little ones. Bring their floaties (and fruit snacks) for a full day of swim lessons.

2200 N. Oakley Ave. Chicago, IL 60647

At 50 yards long with 6 lanes and up to 11 feet deep, Holstein is easily the biggest pool in the Chicagoland area. If you plan on showing up with friends or a crowd, check out this pool for the most space and swimming capacity. 

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The NBA Finals could end Thursday if the Golden State Warriors can get another win at the TD Garden in Boston against the Celtics.

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Golden State has struggled to close out series on the road this postseason. According to ESPN Stats & Information, the Warriors are 0-3 this season when they have a chance to end a series away from the Chase Center. The Celtics have the opposite experience, with a 3-0 record in elimination games this postseason.

History favors teams leading 3-2 heading into Game 6, however. Those squads have won the series 81% of the time (39 of 48 times). The last team to blow a 3-2 lead was the Warriors against the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016. If the Warriors win, it would be their fourth championship in an eight-season span, the first time that has happened since the Chicago Bulls (1991 to ’98).

The fans at TD Garden brought the energy for Games 3 and 4, so expect things to be even more raucous for a win-or-go-home Game 6.

Here are some of the best scenes from Game 6 of the NBA Finals.

Dancing to the music

The Warriors continued their road tradition of playing music during their shootaround or pregame from artists that originate from the city they’re playing in. So for the second time in these playoffs, Golden State’s shootaround playlist included Boston’s own New Edition and group members who famously went solo.

So when the media was allowed into shootaround on Thursday morning, Steph Curry was shooting to the smooth vocals of Johnny Gill and his classic slow jam “My, My, My.” They did not, however, go with Gill’s 18-minute live version of “My, My, My” which is incredible (look it up!)

Warning to the Celtics: during the previous Warriors shootaround here in Boston for Game 4, Curry shot to New Edition’s “Can You Stand the Rain.” And of course, he went on to explode for 43 points and 10 rebounds later that night.

After Steph shot to “My, My, My,” the speakers blared New Edition’s most famous member, Bobby Brown, and his hit “My Prerogative.” Fittingly, Draymond Green — Public Enemy No. 1 here in Boston — started grooving to it, especially when the lyrics, “They say I’m crazy… I really don’t care” came on. — Ohm Youngmisuk

Game 6 Klay?

Klay Thompson has made a name for himself in playoff Game 6s throughout his career. Teammate Jordan Poole showed support for another outstanding performance (hopefully) by rocking a 2011 NBA Draft shirt featuring Thompson.

Eyes on a prize

Stephen Curry knows a good championship prize when he sees one, as he inspected the U.S. Open trophy during Wednesday’s practice ahead of Game 6.

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The Chicago Cubs are in a really bad spot. They are now 23-40 after losing ten straight games. They are now in a two-way tie for last place in the National League Central Division. Nobody ever thought that the Cincinnati Reds would catch anyone in the division but the Cubs have been that bad.

This tenth straight loss came in the four-game sweep that the San Diego Padres laid on them this week. It is as low as the Chicago Cubs have been all season long. It is honestly the worst that they have looked in a really long time.

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The NBA Finals could end Thursday if the Golden State Warriors can get another win at the TD Garden in Boston against the Celtics.

1 Related

Golden State has struggled to close out series on the road this postseason. According to ESPN Stats & Information, the Warriors are 0-3 this season when they have a chance to end a series away from the Chase Center. The Celtics have the opposite experience, with a 3-0 record in elimination games this postseason.

History favors teams leading 3-2 heading into Game 6, however. Those squads have won the series 81% of the time (39 of 48 times). The last team to blow a 3-2 lead was the Warriors against the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016. If the Warriors win, it would be their fourth championship in an eight-season span, the first time that has happened since the Chicago Bulls (1991 to ’98).

The fans at TD Garden brought the energy for Games 3 and 4, so expect things to be even more raucous for a win-or-go-home Game 6.

Here are some of the best scenes from Game 6 of the NBA Finals.

Dancing to the music

The Warriors continued their road tradition of playing music during their shootaround or pregame from artists that originate from the city they’re playing in. So for the second time in these playoffs, Golden State’s shootaround playlist included Boston’s own New Edition and group members who famously went solo.

So when the media was allowed into shootaround on Thursday morning, Steph Curry was shooting to the smooth vocals of Johnny Gill and his classic slow jam “My, My, My.” They did not, however, go with Gill’s 18-minute live version of “My, My, My” which is incredible (look it up!)

Warning to the Celtics: during the previous Warriors shootaround here in Boston for Game 4, Curry shot to New Edition’s “Can You Stand the Rain.” And of course, he went on to explode for 43 points and 10 rebounds later that night.

After Steph shot to “My, My, My,” the speakers blared New Edition’s most famous member, Bobby Brown, and his hit “My Prerogative.” Fittingly, Draymond Green — Public Enemy No. 1 here in Boston — started grooving to it, especially when the lyrics, “They say I’m crazy… I really don’t care” came on. — Ohm Youngmisuk

Game 6 Klay?

Klay Thompson has made a name for himself in playoff Game 6s throughout his career. Teammate Jordan Poole showed support for another outstanding performance (hopefully) by rocking a 2011 NBA Draft shirt featuring Thompson.

Eyes on a prize

Stephen Curry knows a good championship prize when he sees one, as he inspected the U.S. Open trophy during Wednesday’s practice ahead of Game 6.

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Chicago Bears mandatory minicamp is in full swing, and with a couple of practices in the books, folks are writing the narratives that they want to spin.

From the offense having a bad day during the first practice, and then turning it around on the second day, fans can expect hot and cold reports from all different directions. But, we have to remember: it’s June.

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