NBA Best Bets Today (Predictions for Jaylen Brown, Celtics-Warriors in Game 1 of NBA Finals)

After a long few days, the NBA Finals are set to begin tonight at 9 p.m. EST at Chase Center. 

Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors have yet to lose a game at home in this postseason, but the Boston Celtics and Jayson Tatum are going to be the toughest defensive test this Warriors team has faced in the playoffs. 

Boston is coming off back-to-back series where it played in Game 7, but this team refuses to lose two straight games, going undefeated after a loss this postseason. 

So, how should we bet Game 1? 

Here’s everything I’m playing the Warriors-Celtics series opener: 

All odds via WynnBET Sportsbook:

NBA Best Bets Record to Date

• NBA Best Bets Record: 254-234-6 (+7.4675 units)

Find Peter Dewey’s full betting record in the NBA this season here.

NBA Best Bets Today

• Boston Celtics +3.5 vs. Golden State Warriors (-105)
• Jaylen Brown UNDER 24.5 Points (-125)

Boston Celtics +3.5 vs. Golden State Warriors (-105)

These are the two top defenses in the NBA, but they also have elite scorers in Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. 

The Warriors have yet to lose a game at home in the playoffs, but I think that could change against a Boston team that hasn’t lost back-to-back games all postseason. 

While I think the Warriors’ experience benefits them at home in Game 1, Boston has been able to hang around in every game this postseason because of its defense. Even in games where Tatum or Brown have struggled, the Celtics seem to find themselves within striking distance. 

If Robert Williams is healthy, I’m interested to see how Boston decides to play the Warriors as the Celtics clearly have more size in their rotation. If Boston tries to control the interior, it could make things tough on the Warriors, who don’t have a true inside scoring presence. 

I’ll lean with Boston in Game 1 in what should be a great series.

Jaylen Brown UNDER 24.5 Points (-125)

Speaking of Jaylen Brown, I’m going to fade his points prop in Game 1 with the line at 24.5. 

This is a pretty simple handicap, as Brown has failed to clear 24.5 points in 13 of his 18 playoff games this year, despite averaging 22.9 points per game. 

With Gary Payton II back in the lineup for the Warriors, I think Golden State can make things tough on Brown where he falls just below this number.