NBA odds: How to bet NBA Finals, lines, picks

The Golden State Warriors and Boston Celtics will battle in the NBA Finals for pro basketball’s ultimate trophy.

The NBA Finals will begin Thursday night in San Francisco.

For more, from gambling-friendly schedules featuring live, updating odds to expert analysis and the day’s most-bet games, check out the NBA section on FOX Bet, the FOX Sports App and FOXSports.com!

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.

– 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 (+450 at FOX Bet, bet $10 to win $55)

PICK: Steph Curry NBA Finals MVP (+100 at FOX Bet, bet $10 to win $20)

PICK: Jordan Poole NBA Finals MVP (+2500 at FOX Bet, bet $10 to win $260)

The Warriors are in the Finals for the sixth time in eight years. Golden State is seeking its seventh NBA title and fourth since drafting Curry in 2009 (who was picked after Hasheem Thabeet, Tyreke Evans and Jonny Flynn).

The Celtics are playing for the NBA crown for the 22nd time, and Boston is seeking its 18th NBA title, which would break a tie with the Los Angeles Lakers for the most in history.

Boston rallied from a 23-24 start of the season to advance to the NBA Finals for the first time in 12 years.

If you want to dig into more key stats for both teams, read here.

ODDS TO WIN NBA TITLE

Warriors -154 (bet $10 to win $16.49) | Celtics +130 (bet $10 to win $23)

UPCOMING GAME

Celtics @ Warriors (9 p.m. ET Thursday, ABC; series opener) 

Point spread: Warriors -3.5 (Warriors favored to win by more than 3.5 points, otherwise Celtics cover)
Moneyline: Warriors -162 favorites to win (bet $10 to win $16.17 total); Celtics +125 underdogs to win (bet $10 to win $22.50 total)
Total scoring over/under: 211.5 points scored by both teams combined

SERIES SCHEDULE (all games on ABC)

Game 1: Celtics @ Warriors, 9 p.m. ET Thursday
Game 2: Celtics @ Warriors, 8 p.m. ET Sunday
Game 3: Warriors @ Celtics, 9 p.m. ET June 8
Game 4: Warriors @ Celtics, 9 p.m. ET June 10
Game 5: Celtics @ Warriors, 8 p.m. ET June 13 *
Game 6: Warriors @ Celtics, 9 p.m. ET June 16 *
Game 7: Celtics @ Warriors, 8 p.m. ET June 19 *

* = if necessary

So who are you betting on for the NBA Finals? Head over to FOX Bet and place your bets!  

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