It’s finally Game 1 of the NBA Finals! With a week of rest, this series looks even on paper with Kristaps Porzingis coming back into the mix for Joe Mazzulla and Luka Doncic healed up and ready to go to battle for Jason Kidd.
As for tonight’s prop bets, start with a player you can trust to get red-hot from beyond the arc - Derrick White, and fade another Celtic returning from an extended absence - Kristaps Porzingis.
This is a Derrick White series. Whether betting on the NBA Finals, Super Bowl, Stanley Cup, or World Series, it’s crucial to bet on trustworthy players who make winning plays. White is that player and more, averaging nearly 18 PPG this postseason alongside 3.4 3PM.
Getting the matchup of Doncic or Irving, expect the combo guard to shoot the most 3s for the Celtics as Tatum and Brown will use drive-and-kicks to start the game and go from there. In 8 playoff home games, Derrick is 6 of 8 on this prop.
We are expecting the rookie to make a massive impact this series as a rim protector for Jason Kidd, who has continuously given Lively more minutes this postseason. In playoff games where the big man plays 20+ minutes, he’s 9 of 11 on this prop, including securing 2.6 offensive boards per game.
While Gafford might be the starting big man in Game 1, look for foul trouble to consume him early on as the Celtics wings should start the 1st quarter on an aggressive note with fresh legs. The lights shouldn't be too bright for Lively to step in and make an impact in the first game of this series.
Looking back to 2022, Tatum had 13 assists in Game 1. Starting off the series on an aggressive note is key for Mazzula’s stars, but Jayson Tatum’s need to get his teammates involved in Game 1 should shine through with his playmaking. The last two playoff series he’s averaged 6.2 APG while playing his pace of basketball and playing off two feet at all times.
With the matchup of DJJ or PJ Washington on tap, he’ll look to get them in some foul trouble early which could involve plenty of PnR opportunities and kick-out opportunities for Boston’s shooters, which now includes Porzingis.
While KP is a threat from beyond the arc, it’s difficult to believe Mazulla will alter his rotation too much and play Porzingis - who hasn’t played in 37 days - 30 minutes or more in Game 1. In his pre-series press conference, it didn’t take a genius to understand that KP ultimately isn’t 100% healthy and that Al Horford and Luke Kornet will most likely have to step in to play some additional minutes at least early on in this series.
Kristaps will have some difficult matchups with Dallas’ provided depth and length. We are expecting only 20-25 minutes played for KP and a minimal scoring impact in Game 1.