NBA odds: How to bet NBA Finals, lines, best bets and Finals MVP
After the Golden State Warriors and Boston Celtics split the first two games in the NBA Finals, the series shifts to Boston.
After the Celtics stole home court in Game 1, the NBA Finals continued with Game 2 – a blowout win for the Warriors – on Sunday night in San Francisco.
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FOX Bet trading operations specialist Martin Pascual cited three key factors when it comes to wagering on the NBA Finals:
– Rest/fatigue. Boston survived consecutive Eastern Conference series that went seven games. Golden State last played on May 26.
– Home court. The Warriors are 9-0 at Chase Center this postseason prior to the Finals.
– Steph Curry. Golden State has a guard who is a two-time league MVP and is seeking his fourth NBA title.
“I will go with the team who has done it before and who is more rested,” Pascual said. “Another huge factor is home-court advantage as Golden State has not lost in Chase Center in the playoffs this year.
“This is also the year Steph Curry finally gets his Finals MVP.”
FOX Sports betting analyst Jason McIntyre acknowledged the logic of betting Curry to win Finals MVP. But McIntyre said there’s value in taking a shot with a former Michigan Wolverine who had a breakout season, averaging 18.5 points per game and shooting .925% from the line, which can be a valuable skill in the Finals.
“I’m not going to talk you out of a bet on Curry to win Finals MVP, but I’m going to talk you into taking a smaller long shot bet: Jordan Poole to win Finals MVP,” McIntyre said. “Yes, his numbers have dwindled since the Denver series, and he was often played off the court by the Mavs, who hunted him mercilessly.
“So where’s the value in Poole? This figures to be a defensive series (after Game 1). These have been two elite defenses all season, and the Celtics’ ability to switch on the perimeter is going to give the Warriors problems. The one guy who I believe can’t be stopped one-on-one by any Celtic defender is Poole.
“Boston will collapse on Curry, and they’re too disciplined to leave Klay Thompson. Poole’s offense is going to be necessary to win this series.”
PICK: Warriors in six games (+550 at time of pick, currently +450 at FOX Bet, bet $10 to win $55)
PICK: Steph Curry NBA Finals MVP (+160 at time of pick, currently -105 at FOX Bet, bet $10 to win $19.52)
PICK: Jordan Poole NBA Finals MVP (+6600 at time of pick, currently +10000 at FOX Bet, bet $10 to win $1,010)
RELATED: If you want to dig into more key stats for both teams, read here.
HOW THE ODDS HAVE MOVED THROUGHOUT THE FINALS
Golden State Warriors
GSW
