Celtics vs Warriors Game 1 Player Props – Over/Unders and Picks for Thursday’s NBA Finals Opener
- The Golden State Warriors and Boston Celtics matchup for Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Thursday night
- Having not lost at home yet in these playoffs, the Warriors are favored by four points
- Read below for Celtics vs Warriors Game 1 player props and our best bets
Game 1 of the 2022 NBA Finals takes place on Thursday night at Chase Center in San Francisco. The Boston Celtics have been dominant since the turn of the year, but they are still four-point underdogs against the rejuvenated dynasty of Golden State.
Steve Kerr’s team own a 9-0 record in San Francisco this postseason, while the Celtics have come up with several massive performances on the road. Boston has the best record against the Dubs of any team in the Kerr era, but the Warriors have looked formidable in these playoffs, and saw off the Dallas Mavericks in five games to reach the Finals for a sixth time in eight years.
Celtics vs Warriors Game 1 Player Props
| BOS @ GSW | Points | Rebounds | Assists | Three Pointers Made |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jayson Tatum (BOS) | 28.5 (O -102 | U -120) | 7.5 (O -110 | U -110) | 5.5 (O +122 | U -150) | 3.5 (O -108 | U -118) |
| Jaylen Brown (BOS) | 24.5 (O -104 | U -118) | 6.5 (O -112 | U -108) | 3.5 (O +118 | U -144) | 2.5 (O -138 | U +108) |
| Stephen Curry (GSW) | 27.5 (O -110 | U -110) | 4.5 (O -140 | U +114) | 5.5 (O -120 | U -102) | 3.5 (O -130 | U +102) |
| Klay Thompson (GSW) | 20.5 (O -106 | U -116) | 4.5 (O +108 | U -132) | 2.5 (O +138 | U -172) | 3.5 (O +108 | U -138) |
| Draymond Green (GSW) | 8.5 (O -104 | U -118) | 7.5 (O -102 | U -120) | 5.5 (O -144 | U +118) | OFF |
| Marcus Smart (BOS) | 14.5 (O -126 | U +102) | 4.5 (O +120 | U -148) | 5.5 (O -148 | U +120) | 2.5 (O +112 | U -142) |
| Al Horford (BOS) | 10.5 (O -122 | U +100) | 8.5 (O -134 | U +110) | 3.5 (O +118 | U -144) | 1.5 (O -106 | U -120) |
| Kevon Looney (GSW) | 6.5 (O -126 | U +104) | 9.5 (O -102 | U -120) | 2.5 (O -112 | U -108) | OFF |
| Andrew Wiggins (GSW) | 15.5 (O -124 | U +102) | 6.5 (O +114 | U -140) | OFF | 1.5 (O -104 | U -120) |
Odds as of June 2nd at FanDuel
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Rolling with Draymond
Backing Draymond Green as a scorer might sound like the best idea, but the former Defensive Player of the Year has been a profitable player to back on the points over this postseason. Green’s line is set at 8.5 for Game 1 of the 2022 NBA Finals, a mark he’s passed in five of the last six, including a 17-point performance in the clincher against Dallas.
Defenses are selling out on stopping Steph Curry. Boston might not be quite as aggressive as the Mavs were, but there will be ample opportunity for the Dubs to play four-on-three when Curry is doubled. Green is then put in position to drive towards the basket, which contributed to him getting to the line nine times over the last two games of the Conference Finals.
Draymond Green says he really wants the Warriors young players to walk away from this season with a championship ring. He says it takes a weight off your shoulders. Some players spend their entire career chasing a ring. When you check that box you can play more free. #dubnation
— Kylen Mills (@KylenMills) May 31, 2022
Reluctant to shoot at points over the last few seasons, Green has been far more aggressive in these playoffs. He’s a different offensive player in the postseason, and particularly so in the Finals. In 27 career Finals games, the former second round pick has reached double figures in scoring in 19 of them.
There are always easy buckets available for Green thanks to the gravity of Steph Curry and Klay Thompson. He’s been taking advantage of such opportunities throughout these playoffs, and there’s definitely value on over 8.5 points in Game 1.
- Pick: Draymond Green over 8.5 points (-104)
Smart’s Rebounds and Assists
While there are still some health concerns with Marcus Smart, there’s no doubt he’s going to be at full throttle in his first NBA Finals appearance. Smart played a part in Boston almost blowing their Game 7 lead, but he was also integral in building that advantage. His defense on Steph Curry is obviously going to be key in these Finals, yet it’s the rebounds and assists that get our attention here.
Steve Kerr says that Marcus Smart is the guard version of Draymond Green: "He's a great, great defender and probably an underrated offensive player as well."
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) June 1, 2022
Smart’s combined line is set at 10.5, which he has passed in seven of 13 playoff games in which he’s played over 30 minutes. He’s averaging 10.5 potential assists per game, and will have the ball in his hands often in Game 1 with the Warriors set to send plenty of help when Jayson Tatum has the ball in his hands. They will occasionally help off Smart, leaving chances for him to drive and pick out teammates.
There’s an important role to be played on the boards, too. Curry has been an effective rebounder this postseason, and the Warriors have been generally ruthless on the glass. It must be a team rebounding effort from the Celtics – Smart is coming off a nine-rebound performance in Game 7.
This is going to be yet another high-energy performance from Smart at both ends. There’s value backing this over, particularly at plus odds.
- Pick: Marcus Smart over 10.5 rebounds and assists (+100)
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Sam Cox is a freelance writer and sports junkie, who has spent the past several years immersed in the online gaming industry. He has worked with 888sport, Oddschecker, and Colossus Bets to name a few. Based in the UK, Sam also runs Franchise Sports with his brother.
