NBA Finals Game 1 Bets arrive at long last. Can Dallas open the series with a shocker or will Boston win at home as expected? Bovada Vegas Online Sportsbook Review examines several areas to wager for this opening game. Dallas’ dynamic duo of Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic going up against Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown expects to be box-office gold.
NBA Finals Game 1 Mavericks vs Celtics | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
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Dallas Mavericks | -110 | -108 | -110 |
Boston Celtics (-6.5) | -110 | -112 | -110 |
NBA Finals Game 1 Bets feature quite an opening act on Thursday night. Now, everyone knows the stories of the Dallas Mavericks and Boston Celtics by now. This is because of the incredible amount of rest both teams have enjoyed. Expect these players to come out more than fired up. Will there be too much adrenaline flowing? Maybe? Then again, maybe not.
Why do we say that? Honestly, we know Boston’s penchant for getting drawn into close games. However, they do like to make some statements at home. That has been seen throughout these playoffs. This is a team that has gone 12-2 through 14 games. Now, the Dallas road gets more interesting. However, Game 1 focuses on who we believe has the best chance to make bettors some money.
Therefore, that is why Vegas Odds for the NBA Finals look at Game 1 as a litmus test of sorts. What will happen? Do we get something completely unexpected? Consider this fact. 58% of games since 2003 have gone the way of the favorite who managed to beat a spread of 3.5 to 9.5 points. Boston is favored by 6.5 points currently this Thursday night.
Now, Boston at this number is very reasonable. Not surpisingly, the Celtics like playing at a high pace. This was a team who averaged almost 125 points a game at home for a long stretch this 2023-24 season. Overall, that 120.6 points per game and net rating ranked tops in the NBA. Take the points and run!
So, we present some NBA Finals Game 1 bets and that over. Hey, the spread was only the beginning. What fun is it to concentrate on a few standards? Take a look at two avenues potentially for Game 1. Boston scored 114 or more points in their three openers this playoff season. That included a 120 point outing where it felt like they coasted. Did anyone look at the Over of 214.5 points and begin to wonder a bit?
Naturally, that 110.5 number for Boston is not hard to look at. Even the 104.5 for Dallas is intriguing. Alternate team overs should get into plus money at 111.5 or so for Thursday. Do not be surprised to see something in the +130 to +140 range for a Boston Over of 113.5.
Strangely, some stare at the Over of this game and run away. Do not do that! As we saw in a WNBA game earlier this week. All it takes is a late run to snatch a win from the jaws of defeat. Bookended quarters remain very much a possibility. The amount of bets feel endless here and options keep growing. There are even game leader parlays but maybe we will touch on that at a later time.
Concerning these Over wagers, the Vegas Betting pick here is to roll with the not as safe pick of Boston and the Over of 113.5 points. One can climb upward if they choose. However, the benchmark carries plus value too. The Celtics offense is healthy and wants to put on a show.
Yes. NBA Finals Game 1 Bets dip into the props. NBA Vegas Prop Bets search for the player and game props that will keep us in the green this postseason. Considering, the bevy of choices at our disposal, the temptation to make a big splash is very tempting. However, there are some modest moves to be had in this exciting opening salvo.
Something rare and interesting for Game 1 lies in the “Race To 30 Points” in the first quarter. The Neither and Boston are solidly in plus-money territory. This feels like a coin flip as the Celtics will want to take advantage of a Dallas team that might be reading the press clippings a bit much. Either way, Boston can drop 35-40 points in a quarter easily. That +140 number feels quite generous.
Okay, player props make their way into the conversation. Jayson Tatum keeps popping up in points props much like Luka Doncic. However, the rebounds are noteworthy here. 12+ rebounds rolls in at a surprising +190. If one was to take a wager on a player averaging 10.5 boards a game, it might be Game 1. Again, the health of Tatum is at its peak. The same could not be said last year.
NBA Finals Game 1 Bets side with Tatum as the point leader for Game 1. At +230, a couple of dollars wagered on the Forward does not hurt too much here. If one chooses a Dallas scorer, Kyrie Irving at +500 may be worth a look. Boston will key on Doncic heavily and Irving will be a little motivated to right what went wrong as a Celtic.
Oh, this is only the beginning NBA fans. Our goal is to maintain a solid social media presence throughout the NBA Finals.
Good luck with Game 1 and enjoy those two nights off before Game 2! It is hard to believe in just a couple of weeks, the NBA season will be over.
Summary
Chris Wassel AA, AAS CURRENTLY Sports Writer and Journalist RESIDES IN Rahway, NJ EDUCATION Union County College, Montclair State University EXPERTISE Business, Writing, Sports, Food, Grilling, Olympics, Injuries, Politics, and more Summary Member of FSWA, FSGA, and a variety of Sports Betting Groups. Works on injuries for a variety of sites. Edits articles from NASCAR to football and beyond. Occasionally runs sites like mynhltraderumor.com and Full Press Hockey/Bets. Does a podcast for Full Press Hockey and a few other sports too. Experience Chris Wassel has 20+ years of sports journalistic experience in various disciplines. His ability to play sports is well documented. Most people in the business just write. However, Chris will race cars and even a super Moto bike from time to time. There is that fitness and hiking/cycling aspect too. Chris has climbed mountains from Mount Washington to Mount San Jacinto in Palm Springs, California. For those that do not know. Chris also dabbles in food eating contests and challenges. Having a unique background with friends including Joey Chestnut and Casey Webb, Chris has the ability to eat a whole 16-pound turkey or a 32 inch meat lover's pizza. Since 2013, Chris does focus on things like fitness, fishing, and sports. One would be surprised that Chris runs, hikes, and rock climbs. There are even those occasional mini-triathlons. One truly can pack a lot in a small package. Chris can lift things over his body weight with ease. Also, if there is a NASCAR rain prop, Chris can tell you if there will be a Monday race. Throughout his career, Chris has worked at a wide range of places from Amazon to USA Today to a variety of rumors and fantasy sports sites. Finally, Chris has been nominated for quite a few awards from the Fantasy Sports Writers Association for Hockey Writer Of The Year. Also, there have been a number of high-stakes fantasy trophies and rings that Chris sports in his house. Education Chris received an Associates from Union Country College for business and accounting. Chris did sports journalism work at Montclair State University covering the hockey, baseball, and football teams. Quote from Chris Wassel "Shut up and play.”
Education
1999 Graduate of Union County College
1993 Graduate of Rahway High School
Professional Achievements
Media credentialed member of the New Jersey Devils since 2010
Covered several NHL Drafts including the one day event in Newark in 2013
Been on countless podcasts, TV shows, and more including Sportsnet and even NHL Network