Top NBA Finals Expert Picks for Celtics-Warriors Game 1 (Roundtable)

Ahead of the start of the 2022 NBA Finals, BetSided put together a vast list of betting plays and information to help you make the most informed decisions before wagering on tonight's matchup.

Earlier today, our team shared our top NBA Finals prop bets for Game 1 between the Golden State Warriors and Boston Celtics from the Chase Center

Here's who our team of editors is backing against the spread, as well as on the total.

All odds courtesy of WynnBET Sportsbook.

NBA Finals Odds (Celtics-Warriors Game 1)

Spread:

• Celtics +3.5 (-108)
• Warriors -3.5 (-108)

Moneyline:

• Celtics +137
• Warriors -167

Total:

213.5 (OVER -108 | UNDER -108)

Best NBA Finals Picks Today

• Peter Dewey: Celtics +3.5 (-108)
• Donnavan Smoot: Warriors -3.5 (-108)
• Reed Wallach: Warriors -3.5 (-108)
• Ben Heisler: OVER 213.5 (-108)

Celtics +3.5 (-108)

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. -- Peter Dewey

Warriors -3.5 (-108)

This the sixth NBA Finals in the last eight years for the Golden State Warriors. They have the experience, the rest and the home court advantage in this series and Game 1 should be the perfect opportunity to capitalize on all of that.

The Celtics are coming off an extremely physical series with the Heat and have two starters legitimately banged up.

The Warriors are going to be the ones dictating the flow of this game and I think they’ll be able to get a solid win against a Celtics’ team making its Finals’ debut. -- Donnavan Smoot

I lean towards Warriors in the series due to the health edge, but I'm more confident in the Dubs to get off to a hot start and then I'll play it from there.

Teams off a Game 7 are 32-51 in the following series' Game 1 and the Warriors are 21-2 in Game 1's since 2015. Those numbers are staggering and even if the Celtics are a good matchup for them, this is going to take some time to adjust. Not to mention, Boston has nagging injuries to the likes of Robert Williams, Marcus Smart and Jayson Tatum.

Meanwhile, Golden State may be getting Gary Payton II and Otto Porter Jr. back from injury. I think we see Golden State get off to a hot start, like they tend to do in playoff series, and take a 1-0 lead behind a comfortable victory. -- Reed Wallach

OVER 213.5 (-108)

The line has moved a few points since opening at 211.5, but I think it's the right move and still low enough to be the right play tonight.

We know both teams have elite defense, ranking No. 1 and 2 respectively all season long, but the Warriors core is almost all healthy and they've made their mark offensively during the playoffs.

Per NBA.com, the Warriors are scoring 116.1 points per 100 possessions in the postseason; best in the playoffs.

The Celtics have had some time to rest up, which should help their offensive production to begin the series. But two grueling series going to Game 7 can wear any team down, especially one that's never advanced this far in the postseason before. Golden State has 123 postseason games experienced on their roster. Boston has zero.

My favorite bet will be to take the Warriors live at halftime or after the third quarter if it's a close game or if they're down, as they've outscored opponents in the playoffs by 25.4 points per 100 possessions in the fourth quarter. These offensive fireworks have been consistent in the postseason too, and in their home building where they've yet to lose a game, I like the points to add up past the projected total. -- Ben Heisler

How is the BetSided team looking to bet tonight's NBA Finals? What about the series or props? Tune into "Daily Betslip" today at 5 pm ET to find out!