The 2024 NBA playoffs roll on because the convention finals start Tuesday within the Japanese Convention with the Boston Celtics internet hosting the Indiana Pacers. Within the Western Convention, the Minnesota Timberwolves host the Dallas Mavericks for Recreation 1 on Wednesday.
Which bets stand out within the convention finals? Listed below are the collection bets and props bets our specialists Andre Snellings, Eric Moody, Tyler Fulghum, Steve Alexander and Jim McCormick want to make.
Odds present as of publication time. For many present odds go to ESPN BET
Favourite bets for the collection
Tyler Fulghum: Pacers +2.5 video games (+130). This line feels a bit disrespectful to the Pacers. We simply want this to get to 6 video games. Boston will likely be beginning the collection with out Kristaps Porzingis. The Pacers have been 2-3 vs. Boston within the common season and we have seen the Celtics lose video games at house in every of the primary two rounds towards Miami and Cleveland.
Eric Moody: Over 5.5 video games in collection (+125). Bettors could also be shocked to search out the Pacers within the Japanese Convention finals. Boston has been right here six occasions within the final eight seasons, whereas Indiana hasn’t since 2014. In Recreation 1, I am trying ahead to seeing how the Celtics’ protection handles Tyrese Haliburton. This can be a Boston group that is nonetheless with out Kristaps Porzingis and has a historical past of struggling at house. This collection will go over 5.5 video games.
Steve Alexander: Pacers +600 to win the collection. Sure, I am from Indiana. Sure, I grew up in Market Sq. Area. I picked the Pacers to lose to Boston within the Japanese Convention finals initially of the season, however I like the percentages being supplied and I would not put it previous the Pacers to be taking part in within the Finals. I imply, no person wins Recreation 7 at New York, proper?
Jim McCormick: Celtics win collection 4-1 (+165). Betting a five-game collection consequence has +145 odds, however the implied consequence right here is the Celtics cruising to a brief collection victory, thus, we’ll take the higher odds on the precise collection prediction. Whereas the Cavaliers have been capable of take a look at the Celtics at occasions, Boston’s waves of depth, taking pictures and protection mixed to show overwhelming. An identical consequence might unfold towards a Pacers group reliant on tempo and profitable the possession battle. Such an strategy appears harder towards an environment friendly Boston group; one that’s rested, getting wholesome and may match the taking pictures quantity Indiana thrives on. This reads like a fast ticket to the Finals for Boston.
Andre Snellings: Precisely seven video games within the collection (+425). This can be a very particular wager, nevertheless it’s a state of affairs I might see taking part in out. I feel the Pacers steal one of many first two video games in Boston. They’ve been taking part in at their highest edge for months to get into and thru the playoffs, whereas the Celtics have not performed a high-stress sport or essentially their finest ball since earlier than clinching the most effective file within the NBA in March. Plus, the Celtics have misplaced one of many first two house video games in every of the primary two rounds. On the flip facet, the Pacers have not misplaced a house sport for 2 months (since March). In the event that they get that highway cut up, the Celtics must work very laborious to win a sport in Indiana. I consider they do, which places the collection again on serve and will get this to seven video games as each groups shield house court docket from there. At +425, this can be a higher-risk reward for a state of affairs I think about possible.
Favourite prop bets
Fulghum: Jayson Tatum over 4.5 assists in every sport of the collection (+370). Tatum goes to be the engine of the offense for the Celtics. He had 5-plus assists in every sport of the Cavs collection, and I feel he is a very good wager to duplicate that towards an opponent that performs sooner and fewer imposing protection within the Pacers.
Alexander: Jaylen Brown to be the main scorer for the collection (+450). Tatum is at -500 to be the collection scoring chief and I feel that it is both going to be Tatum or Brown. And for the measly payout that comes with Tatum, I would somewhat roll the cube on Brown and hope he goes off. Except Pascal Siakam, Myles Turner or Derrick White pull off a miracle, it is a secure wager that both Tatum or Brown would be the huge scorer on this collection.
McCormick: Tyrese Haliburton to file no less than 6.5 assists in every sport (+450). This would possibly seem to be a low bar, however the shot creation and infusion of T.J. McConnell’s distribution minutes noticed the league’s main help producer in each complete and common miss this mark 3 times over the course of the seven-game saga towards the Knicks. The explanation I’m is twofold; the Celtics’ point-of-attack protection between Jrue Vacation and White might compel Haliburton to enter playmaking mode extra typically versus discovering his personal shot, whereas I additionally suppose Boston’s capacity to break down the ground towards McConnell’s lack of taking pictures and spacing affect might see him be much less of an element on this collection.
Snellings: Jayson Tatum to make most complete 3-pointers within the collection (+700). Tatum has wielded the blowtorch towards the Pacers this season. In 4 video games towards them, he averaged 32.5 PPG on 57.8 FG%, and 4.3 3PG on 48.8 3P%. The Pacers improved on protection after buying and selling for Pascal Siakam, however in his one matchup towards them post-trade, Tatum nonetheless dropped 30 factors with 4 3-pointers. And the Pacers bought torched by huge wing Khris Middleton within the first spherical of the playoffs, so the precedent for a participant with Tatum’s ability set to thrive towards these Pacers has already been set.
Favourite bets for the collection
Fulghum: Mavericks +1.5 video games (-150). I completely love the Wolves. Their younger core goes to be an issue within the Western Convention for a very long time. Nevertheless, as nice as Anthony Edwards is, Luka Doncic is the most effective participant on this collection. The Mavs even have a bit extra playoff seasoning than Minnesota. This will likely be a wildly enjoyable collection from sport to sport, however I feel the Mavs advance.
Moody: Over 5.5 video games in collection (-160). After making an look two seasons in the past, the Mavericks are again within the Western Convention finals, whereas the Timberwolves are right here for the primary time in 20 seasons. There is a good probability it will go seven video games. Each the Mavericks and Timberwolves can win on the highway. All of the video games on this collection might have slender spreads. That is going to be an entertaining collection. Get your popcorn prepared.
Alexander: Mavericks win the collection 4-3 (+700). I am undecided even Las Vegas is aware of what is going on to occur on this collection however I do know that Doncic would be the finest participant on the court docket, though I do love Edwards as nicely. Luka lastly has a little bit playoff expertise below his belt and the addition of some huge males, and Kyrie Irving has turned out to be an excellent transfer for Luka and the Mavs.
McCormick: Timberwolves win 4-2 (+440). Having ranked 18th in defensive ranking within the common season, elite protection is a newfound factor to the Mavericks’ profile throughout this spectacular playoff surge. Dominance on that finish is a staple, nonetheless, for the Timberwolves. The flexibility to confound the Mavericks’ heliocentric offense, funneled via Doncic and Irving, seems extra affordable after seeing how nicely the group disrupted Denver’s environment friendly offense over the course of a basic collection. Mix the Timberwolves’ distinctive measurement up entrance and switchable two-way wings, and you’ve got a recipe for a six-game collection victory aligned in Minnesota’s favor.
Snellings: Timberwolves -1.5 video games (+115). The Timberwolves have a giant measurement benefit that the Mavericks may have problem countering. The Mavericks have a very good middle rotation, however each are inside gamers that may’t play collectively. P.J. Washington is an effective energy ahead, however he’s solely 6-7 towards the 7-0 Cities and 7-3 Gobert. Plus, for the reason that Mavs’ facilities cannot stretch the ground, Gobert ought to have a dominant defensive impression that he could not when defending the dynamic Nikola Jokic. Edwards, Doncic and Irving are all nice gamers, however this collection will possible be received within the trenches.
Favourite prop bets
Fulghum: Luka Doncic to file over 9.5 rebounds in every sport of the collection (+10000). What a enjoyable wager to sweat. Doncic is a strolling triple-double, and after coping with some knee points earlier in these playoffs, he seemed to be getting stronger towards OKC. In reality, he had 10-plus rebounds in every of the final 5 video games of the collection with the Thunder. This dart throw is value it.
Moody: Anthony Edwards over 4.5 assists in every sport within the collection (+525). The Mavericks’ protection has improved within the playoffs, rating sixth in defensive ranking (110.6), not far behind the Timberwolves (107.6). Protection will dominate this collection, however Edwards ought to be busy as a facilitator. This season, he has cleared this line in 64% of his video games, averaging 8.2 potential assists.
Alexander: Kyrie Irving +1500 to be the collection’ main scorer. Doncic and Edwards catch many of the headlines, however let’s not overlook about Irving. He performed passively towards the Thunder in Spherical 2 however lastly got here via with a giant sport within the finale. The Mavericks are going to wish Kyrie to be extra egocentric on this collection and he might simply dominate, particularly if Doncic and Edwards are combating their shot or draped in double-teams.
McCormick: Karl-Anthony Cities to attain no less than 14.5 factors in every sport (+200). The percentages on this are a bit modest, however so is the ask of one of many league’s most gifted three-level scorers. Assured in his contact after a superb spherical towards Denver and more and more environment friendly within the publish, the Mavericks’ lack of measurement previous two foul-prone rim protectors reads like a great setup for Cities to thrive in lineups alongside Rudy Gobert.
Snellings: Anthony Edwards to attain probably the most complete factors within the collection (+125). Edwards is an excellent scorer within the common season, however he is an elite scorer within the playoffs. In his final two playoffs appearances, spanning 16 video games, Edwards has averaged 29.8 PPG on 49.7 FG%. Edwards has no less than 27 factors in 11 of his most up-to-date 15 playoffs video games. Whereas Doncic led the NBA in scoring this season, he seemed to be preventing damage and “solely” averaged 24.7 PPG final spherical towards the Thunder. The Timberwolves are a greater protection than the Thunder, the most effective within the NBA, and have a very good probability to maintain Luka’s scoring attenuated sufficient for Edwards to guide this collection in scoring.
