2* Golden State -6.5 (-114)
1.8* Golden St. -3.5 (-113) Even with Dallas' convincing win in Game 4, they really played a poor 4th quarter. The Mavs just can't seem to play well for an entire game. The Warriors are playing their best basketball right now since the 1st half of the regular season. They have also been effective most of the time crowding Doncic on D, and making him work hard to shoot, causing turnovers, or at least isolating him from his teammates offensively. Dallas will also likely cool off at the 3 point line from Game 4. Dallas avoided the sweep, the Warriors likely get their home celebration. A little on the 1Q.
1.8* Golden St. -3.5 (-113) Even with Dallas' convincing win in Game 4, they really played a poor 4th quarter. The Mavs just can't seem to play well for an entire game. The Warriors are playing their best basketball right now since the 1st half of the regular season. They have also been effective most of the time crowding Doncic on D, and making him work hard to shoot, causing turnovers, or at least isolating him from his teammates offensively. Dallas will also likely cool off at the 3 point line from Game 4. Dallas avoided the sweep, the Warriors likely get their home celebration. A little on the 1Q.
2* Boston -4.5 (-114)
2.5* Boston -8 (-117) It pays to wait. The Warriors line got better closer to game time. This Boston line has also improved since last night. Seems similar in the context of tonight's game and tomorrow's in Boston. I can't imagine the Celtics NOT being really prepared and playing well to avoid Game 7 in Miami. Both teams have injuries, but it seems like the guys inured on the Celtics are not as limited in their play as the Heat players. Herro likely out or not near 100%. Lowry shouldn't even play he's so off his game. Butler gets credit for not making excuses, but his knee aint right. The Heat role players are not the same with these 3 being off their game or not playing. Boston will have some great runs Friday, enough to get the job done. Their defense at home should be stellar as usual.
2.5* Boston -8 (-117) It pays to wait. The Warriors line got better closer to game time. This Boston line has also improved since last night. Seems similar in the context of tonight's game and tomorrow's in Boston. I can't imagine the Celtics NOT being really prepared and playing well to avoid Game 7 in Miami. Both teams have injuries, but it seems like the guys inured on the Celtics are not as limited in their play as the Heat players. Herro likely out or not near 100%. Lowry shouldn't even play he's so off his game. Butler gets credit for not making excuses, but his knee aint right. The Heat role players are not the same with these 3 being off their game or not playing. Boston will have some great runs Friday, enough to get the job done. Their defense at home should be stellar as usual.
1* Boston -2.5 (-115)
1* Boston -1.5 1H. Really thought Boston would have finished off the Heat Game 6, but Jimmy Butler willed his team to win. This series has such an ebb and flow feeling to it. It also is a series where home court hasn't meant too much. The total is really low even for this kind of Game 7. Should be a great Game 7.
1* Boston -1.5 1H. Really thought Boston would have finished off the Heat Game 6, but Jimmy Butler willed his team to win. This series has such an ebb and flow feeling to it. It also is a series where home court hasn't meant too much. The total is really low even for this kind of Game 7. Should be a great Game 7.
A couple wins to end the last series, and wipe a portion of Game 6 losses.
2.5* Boston +142 (series) I'd play this larger, except the Warriors home court advantage means something. The Celtics played pretty well on the road vs. the Nets, Bucks and Heat...so maybe not much of an advantage. Maybe though the Celtics are really, really happy just to be in the finals, and have a letdown(I doubt it).
If Curry, Poole, Thompson, or 2 of the 3 go off like crazy hitting unbelievable 3s, the Celtics have little chance of winning. But Boston has been really good at switching out at the perimeter and making opponents work hard for an open shot. The Dubs have the advantage in outside shooting, but with that comes some iffy defense- Poole and Klay Thompson, and even Curry, are not exactly good defenders. Smart and quick hands, but not stoppers.
Boston will appreciate the 3 days off, especially since the Heat and Buck series were so physical, and they never had two days off in a row. Both teams have good depth. The Warriors have more experience, the Celtics have the better defense. I think once the series is played, will it be said that the better D won(Boston), or the more experienced team won (Warriors)? Who played better opponents to get to the finals? The Dubs played a one man team in Denver, a Ja Morant-less Grizzly team that gave them a tough series, and a Dallas team that was also playing small ball. And with Doncic taking on too much of the offense and playing poor defense. Boston never got blown out in any one game, have the younger legs, and no championship in the past to rest their laurels on.
Gonna be a great series. Enjoy.
1* Boston +3.5. (Game 1) The Celtics could come out shaky 1st half, feeling like they went through hell just getting to the Finals.
2.5* Boston +142 (series) I'd play this larger, except the Warriors home court advantage means something. The Celtics played pretty well on the road vs. the Nets, Bucks and Heat...so maybe not much of an advantage. Maybe though the Celtics are really, really happy just to be in the finals, and have a letdown(I doubt it).
If Curry, Poole, Thompson, or 2 of the 3 go off like crazy hitting unbelievable 3s, the Celtics have little chance of winning. But Boston has been really good at switching out at the perimeter and making opponents work hard for an open shot. The Dubs have the advantage in outside shooting, but with that comes some iffy defense- Poole and Klay Thompson, and even Curry, are not exactly good defenders. Smart and quick hands, but not stoppers.
Boston will appreciate the 3 days off, especially since the Heat and Buck series were so physical, and they never had two days off in a row. Both teams have good depth. The Warriors have more experience, the Celtics have the better defense. I think once the series is played, will it be said that the better D won(Boston), or the more experienced team won (Warriors)? Who played better opponents to get to the finals? The Dubs played a one man team in Denver, a Ja Morant-less Grizzly team that gave them a tough series, and a Dallas team that was also playing small ball. And with Doncic taking on too much of the offense and playing poor defense. Boston never got blown out in any one game, have the younger legs, and no championship in the past to rest their laurels on.
Gonna be a great series. Enjoy.
1* Boston +3.5. (Game 1) The Celtics could come out shaky 1st half, feeling like they went through hell just getting to the Finals.
Hard to believe the swing in the series number, from about +140 to -170. Is it just because Boston won game one, eliminating home court advantage for the Dubs, or is Vegas seeing something more between these two teams? Horford won't be hitting a bunch of 3s again most likely, but Tatum will go off a couple of times. I still think the perimeter defense differences are going to continue to plague the Warriors. Curry's 1st quarter shooting negated it, but Poole, Curry and Klay all could have their shots challenged more than they can defensively challenge Boston shooters. And by the way, Horford was open on those 3s.
.5* Boston +4.5 (-112) This is going to be more like a 1/2 unit or less for me, as Golden State is in desperation mode at home. Boston could keep it close enough to cover. Kerr will find some adjustments to likely get his team the W, but maybe for 48 minutes, it won't be enough?
.5* Boston +4.5 (-112) This is going to be more like a 1/2 unit or less for me, as Golden State is in desperation mode at home. Boston could keep it close enough to cover. Kerr will find some adjustments to likely get his team the W, but maybe for 48 minutes, it won't be enough?
2* Boston -2.5 1H Like most NBA series between two high quality clubs, there is an ebb and flow to the series. Celtics are coming off a 2nd half beat down in Game 2 and I think they'll respond to start Game 3. However, they seem to play the 3rd quarters as if they can't seem to adjust to the adjustments the Warriors made at halftime. Credit to Steve Kerr for coming out of the halftime better prepared for the 2nd halves. Got a little on the game bet of -3.5, but I expect the score to be close.
1.5* Boston -4 (Game 4) This is going to be a bargain if Curry is out or not his usual self. Based on how in pain he looked after the injury, limping afterwards, and that usually the next day the injury can seem worse, what the hell. I'll risk it. Still, the ebb and flow thing tells me the Dubs come back and tie the series. Boston might also smell blood after a great 1st half and 4th quarter. At home, the Boston crowd will be insane every time they have a run or a defensive stop.
Glad I laid off Game 5. It's been a profitable run in the NBA playoffs, and this could be my final play.
1.5* Boston -2 1H (-115)
1.3* Boston -3.5 If the Celtics force a Game 7 and cover here, then my series bet will at least be tentatively null and void with a Warriors win in Game 7. In the black. no matter what happens. Tatum has reverted to his old bad habits of holding the ball too long in double coverage, or isolating with a man in his face. If Curry can shoot that poorly, and the Warriors still win, then Coach Udoka needs to adjust in a big way. I expect he will and Boston wins here. I know the NBA and the broadcasting media wants a Game 7.
1.5* Boston -2 1H (-115)
1.3* Boston -3.5 If the Celtics force a Game 7 and cover here, then my series bet will at least be tentatively null and void with a Warriors win in Game 7. In the black. no matter what happens. Tatum has reverted to his old bad habits of holding the ball too long in double coverage, or isolating with a man in his face. If Curry can shoot that poorly, and the Warriors still win, then Coach Udoka needs to adjust in a big way. I expect he will and Boston wins here. I know the NBA and the broadcasting media wants a Game 7.
