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It was shocking to see the Golden State Warriors routed in the fourth quarter of Game 1 of the NBA Finals…at home, no less. They’re the consensus favorite to win the series and title, with coach Steve Kerr and leading scorer Stephen Curry seemingly immune to such poor efforts.
However, there was a brutal loss to begin the series and questions if the Warriors had been overvalued by the sports betting public as -160 favorites.
However, the script was flipped this past Sunday, Golden State refusing to drop two home games, and now heading to Boston with the series even.
Game 2 saw the Warriors regain their balance. A terrible fourth quarter undid Golden State in Game 1, but Sunday, it was a great third quarter which propelled them to victory.
The final score was 107-88, fueled by a 19-2 Warrior run over the final 4:32 of the third, including a near half-court shot by Jordan Poole at the buzzer that swelled the lead to 23 points. Unlike last time, there was no fourth-quarter letdown by the home team. The Warriors closed out the 19-point win by holding Boston to just 24 points in the final quarter.
Curry was his normal outstanding self, with a game-high 29 points. Poole was second on the Warriors with 17 points, while Kevon Looney had a dozen points and seven rebounds.
Boston was led by 28 from Jayson Tatum and 17 from Jaylen Brown. However, the other three starters-Al Horford, Robert Williams and Marcus Smart-each finished with two points. They were a combined 1-for-11 from the floor, also committing seven of Boston’s 18 turnovers.
Current NBA Finals Betting
The Warriors at Celtics are now both priced at -110 to win the title according to NBA Finals odds.
Series Games
Five Games (+300)
Six Games (+150)
Seven Games (+140)
Very few people think either team is going to rattle off three consecutive wins, thus ending this series in five games. That bet is paying +300. The most likely scenario, according to the oddsmakers, is a full seven-game series that ends in San Francisco.
Series Score
Golden State Warriors Win 4-1 (+750)
Golden State Warriors Win 4-2 (+400)
Golden State Warriors Win 4-3 (+275)
Boston Celtics Win 4-1 (+600)
Boston Celtics Win 4-2 (+325)
Boston Celtics Win 4-3 (+500)
Interesting to note that the odds are longer on a Warriors win in five games as opposed to the Celtics five-game win. Also, if the Celtics are going to win this series, odds are saying it happens in the sixth game in Boston. If the series goes back to San Francisco for the decider, the pendulum swings heavily in favor of the Warriors.
NBA Finals MVP
Stephen Curry (-125)
Jayson Tatum (+140)
Jaylon Brown (+650)
Al Horford (+5000)
Marcus Smart (+5000)
Andrew Wiggins (+5000)
…and not surprisingly, favored to win the Finals MVP award is Stephen Curry, per NBA Finals MVP odds. His -125 (that’s less than even-money) odds earned even more support after point totals of 34 and 29.
Jayson Tatum is the favorite if the Celtics win the title, odds shortened since the series began. He’s now paying +140 after opening at +180. Jaylon Brown is also shorter than before the series. He was at +1000 to open, but games of 24 and 17 points have him down to +650.
There’s no one else, according to the oddsmakers, with a serious chance to win the award. It’s those three top players dominating the betting.
Game 3 Betting Odds
Wednesday night, the scene shifts to Boston for the next two games. The Celtics are favored by 3½ points, priced at -160 on the moneyline. The total line for Game 3 is 212½ .
One of the more interesting props for the night is the halftime/final winner.
Warriors/Warriors (+240)
Tie/Warriors (+2500)
Celtics/Warriors (+600)
Warriors/Celtics (+500)
Tie/Warriors (+2000)
Celtics/Celtics (+115)
The shortest of the bets is on the Celtics to be leading at halftime and at the final buzzer. The Warriors completing the double is the next shortest on the board. Longest odds, at +600, belong to the Celtics leading at halftime, but the Warriors winning the game. Of course, a bettor has the option of choosing a tie game at the half, which would lead to a much higher rate of return.
- K Carroll, Gambling911.com
