Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
In Game 4 of the 2022 NBA Finals, Stephen Curry and the Warriors executed exactly where they didn’t in Game 3 to tie up the series 2-2. Notably, Golden State dominated down low Friday night after being outrebounded and suffocated by the Celtics in Game 3. As a team, the Warriors recorded 16 offensive boards for a total of 55 rebounds for the night. For instance, Draymond Green struggled Wednesday night to finish the night with only four rebounds and three assists before fouling out in the fourth quarter.
In Game 4, Draymond dominated down low for eight rebounds, eight assists, and four steals without getting himself into foul trouble (only three PFs for Green in Game 4 after fouling out in Game 3).
Best Bets of the Night
Game: Boston Celtics at Golden State Warriors - 4 (-110)
Similar to Game 3, both teams shot the ball rather evenly. The Warriors finished the night with 44% shooting from the field, and 34.9% from downtown. The Celtics converted 40% of the field goal attempts and 39.5% of their shots from deep. One factor which helped Golden State keep up with the Celtics throughout the game was terrific rebounding. Andrew Wiggins stepped it up off the glass to produce a 17-point and 16-rebound double-double. What really caused the Celtics to lose in Game 3 was a complete offensive collapse in the fourth quarter.
With seven minutes remaining in the game, the Celtics had a 91-86 lead over Golden State. That means Boston was outscored 21-6 in the second half of the fourth quarter to lose Game 4 107-97. With Golden State back home, expect their offense to shoot better than they did on the road and secure a home victory in Game 5.
Bet: Golden State Warriors -4 (-110)
Throughout the 2022 NBA Playoffs, the Warriors shot 49.4% from the field and 40.7% from downtown in 11 games played at home. For their nine road games, the Warriors were less efficient on average averaging 47.2 FG% (2.2% less efficient from the field) and 34.9% (-5.8% less efficient from 3PT range). The numbers reveal clearly that for the 2022 NBA Playoffs, the Warriors have been more efficient scoring. With the prospect of taking a 3-2 lead over the Celtics, its likely that Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson have another big night in front of the home crowd.
Bet: Over (O/U) 212.5 Total Points (-110)
While only 204 points were scored in Game 4, expect Game 5 to be a much higher-scoring game. In addition to the Warriors shooting much better from the field, the team seems to have found some efficiency against the bigger Celtics down low. These two factors could push the Warriors to score 120+ points in Game 5. In turn, Jayson Tatum who scored 23 points (8-23 FG) will bounce back to have a 30+ point game. Both he and Steph are scoring big these NBA Finals.
While the defense was the main story of Games 3 and 4 at the TD Garden, scoring buckets will be the principal feature of Game 5 at the Chase Center. With him and Stephen Curry averaging more than 34 PPG through these finals, you can count on Game 5 in Golden State to be a high-scoring game.
NBA Player Props
Game: Boston Celtics at Golden State Warriors - 4 (-110)
Prop: Jayson Tatum, Over 26.5 Points
Jayson Tatum, like the rest of the Celtics, started hot but finished ice cold. If it wasn’t for the fourth quarter where Tatum shot the ball multiple times unsuccessfully. This negatively impacted his shooting numbers from Game 4 where he finished the night with 23 points (8-23 FG) converting only 34.9% of his shots taken. After a disappointing Friday night, Tatum will shoot more efficiently in Game 5. Since he still scored 23 points on an off-night, you can count on Tatum to score 30+ points in Game 5 even if the Warriors defeat the Celtics.
Prop: Andrew Wiggins, Over 6.5 Rebounds
One of the major adjustments made by the Warriors in Game 4 was boosting their presence off the glass. Andrew Wiggins recorded 16 of Golden State’s 55 rebounds Friday night.
Through the first four games of the NBA Finals, Wiggins has recorded a total of 34 rebounds. That means Wiggins is averaging 8.5 rebounds per game in the 2022 NBA Finals. Especially because the Warriors know how effective he was producing much-needed rebounds in Game 4, Wiggins will look to have a similar presence down-low in Game 5.
Boston Celtics, NBA Finals Game 3
In Game 3, both teams shot almost equally well from the field and from downtown. However, Boston took more shots from the field and dominated off the glass to take Game 3 116-100. Boston’s defensive energy was on full display Wednesday night as they outrebounded and drew countless fouls from the Warriors. Boston’s defense was the story of Game 3. Will Klay Thompson and Stephen Curry overwhelm the Celtics in Game 4?
Let’s take a look at some of tonight’s best bets for Game 4 of the 2022 NBA Finals.
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Best Bets of the Night
Game: Golden State Warriors at Boston Celtics Game 4 (BOS Leads 2-1)
In Game 3, both teams shot virtually as efficiently from the field. The Celtics converted 48.3% of their shots (43-89 FG) from the field and went 37.1% from downtown. Golden State finished the night with a 46.2 FG% (36-78 FG) as a team, converting 37.5% from beyond the arc. The main reason for the Celtics’ victory was fantastic defense. For instance, Robert Williams III who isn’t 100% healthy, played 26 minutes to produce 10 points, eight rebounds, and four blocks. The Celtics dominated the Warriors off the glass to record 47 rebounds as a team with 15 of them recorded on the offensive end. In contrast, the Warriors totaled 31 rebounds on the game and only had six offensive rebounds. In addition, the Warriors committed 23 personal fouls allowing the Celtics to go to the line 24 times (Celtics were 17-24 FT) and had 16 turnovers as a team. For the Warriors to bounce back in Game 4, they will need to be more aggressive down low and less sloppy on the floor.
Bet #1: Golden State Warriors, +4 (-110)
The Warriors shot the ball well in Game 3, but were simply overwhelmed by the Celtics defense and the energy at the TD Garden Wednesday night. Golden State recorded 39 combined turnovers (16) and personal fouls (23) which demonstrates how sloppy they were with the basketball. This gave Boston a possession advantage throughout the game, ultimately allowing the Celtics to take 11 more field goal attempts and finish the night with seven more made FGs than the Warriors. Offensive efficiency is not the issue for the Warriors. Rather, they will need to ramp it up on defense in Game 4 to make the game interesting. Draymond Green fouled out of the contest after being shut down all night. Green was held to just two points, four rebounds, three assists, and two turnovers in 35 minutes on the floor before getting a sixth personal foul in Game 3.
Bet #2: Over (O/U) 215 Total Points (-110)
Though the Warriors were held to 100 points of offense on Wednesday night, they shot the ball well. Golden State was limited as a team for FGAs as a result of Boston’s defense. In Game 4, Golden State will have an answer to put up more points on the board than they did in Game 3. In turn, the Celtics will keep things interesting. Expect this Game 4 to be a high-scoring contest. Both teams have been scoring big throughout these playoffs, and that doesn't seem to be changing right now during the Finals.
NBA Player Props
Game: Golden State Warriors at Boston Celtics Game 4 (BOS Leads 2-1)
Prop #1: Klay Thompson, Over 19.5 Points
Klay Thompson started the night shooting very well but cooled down towards the end. He went five for a whopping 13 attempts from downtown Wednesday night. He finished the night 7-of-17 from the field for 25 points. This comes after a terrible Game 2 performance where Klay went 4-of-19 from the field and only one-of-eight from beyond-the-arc. Tonight, Klay will shoot better tonight after an average Game 3 performance and bad Games 1 and 2.
Prop #2: Jaylen Brown, Over 2.5 Threes
Jaylen Brown has been knocking his shots from downtown as of late. In the last two games, he’s recorded at least three threes. He’s gone 7-of-17 (41.1%) from downtown through Games 2 and 3 combined. In the second of two home games at the TD Garden, it’s likely that Brown knocks down at least three buckets from beyond-the-arc tonight in Game 4.
Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics
Miami conceded Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals to the Boston Celtics at home. Tonight, they will look to close the series out back in the TD Garden. Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum have continued to play phenomenal basketball throughout this series. Miami’s injury struggles have affected Tyler Herro specifically for this series, and Kyle Lowry for the entirety of the postseason.
While the Celtics undoubtedly have the upper hand heading into tonight’s game and likely have cemented the series, they will be facing off against a desperation mode squad for the Heat that will shoot better than they did in Game 5. Let's take a look at tonight's best NBA Playoff Bets and props.
Please note that all odds and lines are from FanDuel Sportsbook and were accurate at 2:30 PM EST. Be sure to check for line movement or odd changes.
Best Bets of the Night
Game: Miami Heat at Boston Celtics -8.5 (BOS Leads 3-2)
Bet 1: Boston Celtics -8.5 (-110)
While the Heat are likely going to lose on the road in Game 6, they will look to keep things interesting tonight. They could lose by eight points and you’d still come out on top. Based on that fact alone, they will play with a desperation factor. The Heat once again have a long list of players listed as questionable for tonight’s game. This includes Tyler Herro, Kyle Lowry, PJ Tucker, Max Struss and Gabe Vincent. In Game 5, both teams could have shot better. Miami truly had an abysmal night shooting from the field. On Wednesday night, they only converted 31.9 % from the field and a brutal 15.6% from downtown. Miami’s current roster depth among available guards is simply abysmal. While Marcus Smart and Robert Williams are listed as questionable for the Boston Celtics, they have too much upside over the Heat heading into tonight’s Game 6 at the TD Garden.
Bet 2: Over 201 Total Points (-110)
Despite a very low-scoring contest in Game 5 where only 173 total points were scored (BOS 93 - 80 MIA), the desperation factor for the Heat will push them to shoot quicker and better than they did in Game 5. Miami only converted 30-of-94 field goals as a team and an abysmal 7-of-45 shooting from downtown. Miami quite simply had a miserable outing in Game 5, they will lose tonight, but they really couldn’t score any less than 80 points. Although Boston should win tonight's matchup by double-digit points, the Heat will shoot better and maintain a high volume of shots attempted. They should score 95-100 points tonight.
NBA Props of the Night
Game: Miami Heat at Boston Celtics -8.5 (BOS Leads 3-2)
Prop: Al Horford 10+ Points & Boston to Win (+106)
We’ve already discussed why Boston is the heavy favorite for tonight’s game. With Robert Williams currently listed as questionable heading into tonight, Al Horford is ready to go. Even if Robert Williams plays tonight, he might not be as healthy as he needs to be. As a result, expect Al Horford to get more looks from the field and score at least 10 points at home in tonight’s crucial Game 6.
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Marcus Smart, Boston Celtics
While Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat have had a few days off since taking out the Philadelphia 76ers, the Celtics only finished their seven-game series on Sunday. With Marcus Smart considered questionable for tonight's contest, the Celtics could struggle to steal Game 1 on the road against the Heat.
Tonight, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown head to Miami to play Game 1 of a highly anticipated Eastern Conference series against the Miami Heat. Let's take a look at today's best bets and player props.
Please note that all odds and lines are from FanDuel Sportsbook and were accurate at 3:30 PM EST. Be sure to check for line movement or odd changes.
Best Bets Of The Night
Though the Heat comfortably won their series against the Philadelphia 76ers 4-2, bad offensive performances in consecutive games contributed to their losses. After eventually squeezing past Joel Embiid and the Sixers with back-to-back victories in Game 5 and Game 6, the Heat could struggle in Game 1 in front of their home fans.
Unfortunately for Miami, Kyle Lowry will be out for Game 1 of this series due to his ongoing hamstring injury. While he’s been able to create plays for the Heat, he has not played efficiently at any point throughout these playoffs. That said, Lowry hasn’t been healthy but Miami's success this postseason has largely been achieved without Lowry running the point. There is some concern for the Boston Celtics that they may be without Marcus Smart for Game 1, which could truly hurt them if that comes to fruition. In Game 7, Smart sustained a foot sprain, forcing the Celtics to list him as questionable yesterday afternoon.
Smart has been instrumental to Boston’s lockdown defense throughout the playoffs. If the Celtics are forced to suit up without Smart in Game 1 despite the return of Robert Williams, Boston will struggle to maintain Miami's top offensive weapons such as Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, and Tyler Herro. Expect the Heat to take the first game of the Eastern Conference Finals comfortably if the Defensive Player of the Year is sidelined. If Smart is able to suit up, it's anyone's game.
Bet 1: Miami Heat, -2 (-110)
The Boston Celtics have scored at least 100 points in every game this postseason. They aren’t the concern as much as the Heat, who scored an atrocious 79 points against the 76ers in Game 3. Tonight should be a high-scoring affair. Though the Miami Heat conceded two games of their series against the Philadelphia 76ers due to abysmal offense, we know they are capable of scoring big. They put up 119 points in Game 2, and 120 points in Game 5. This could especially be the case if Marcus Smart is out of the Celtics’ rotation, which will hurt Boston’s defense. Even if he does play, he will likely be less efficient on the floor as a result of his foot sprain from Game 7 on Sunday.
Bet 2: Over 204 Total Points (-110)
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NBA Player Props of the Night
Prop #1: Grant Williams Over 8.5 Points
Grant Williams hit seven three-pointers in Game 7 against the Bucks. He attempted a whopping 18 threes, which might be more impressive and unexpected. Ime Udoka has kept him on the floor for big minutes throughout the postseason due to the energy he brings on both sides of the floor. He’s clearly capable of scoring but of also being physical on defense.
Prop #2: Victor Oladipo Over 9.5 Points
With Kyle Lowry out, Victor Oladipo will likely get 25+ minutes on the floor tonight in Game 1. He missed the vast majority of the regular season but returned in March and has been surprisingly efficient. Coach Erik Spoelstra has primarily found Oladipo effective as a ball-handler and scorer throughout the postseason while Lowry has been unhealthy. Oladipo has scored in double-figures in four of the last seven games and will log above-average minutes tonight in Game 1 with Gabe Vincent starting for Kyle Lowry and Dipo coming off the bench for meaningful minutes.
Prop #3: Bam Adebayo 15+ Pts / Miami To Win (+186)
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