The Golden State Warriors are favorites to win the NBA Finals, listed between -150 and -160 at various Tennessee sports betting apps. The series starts Thursday, June 2, in San Francisco, Calif.
If the Celtics upset the Warriors, oddsmakers see Jayson Tatum as the most likely MVP of the Finals. Should that occur, Boston would be the first team since at least 1984 to win the title that was at least 30-to-1 longshots entering the season.
Claim up to $1,050 free with DraftKings Tennessee Promo Code
Golden State seeks to add to a dynastic résumé with a fourth title in eight seasons. Deep-range shooting guard Steph Curry is the favorite (+110 from BetMGM) to cop the NBA Finals MVP. He has never won that award.
Pre-series, oddsmakers have settled on a six-game result as the most likely (+400 from Caesars, FanDuel, and BetMGM). The most unlikely, a sweep by the Celtics, who were 40-1 to win the NBA Finals in October, is at +1600 from BetMGM.
NBA Finals Betting Odds
| Sportsbook | Series price | Game 1 Point Spread | Game 1 Moneyline | Game 1 Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | Golden State -150 Boston +130 | Golden State -3.5 (-115) Boston +3.5 (-105) | Golden State -160 Boston +140 | Over 211.5 (-110) Under 211.5 (-110) |
| BetMGM | Golden State -160 Boston +130 | Golden State -3.5 (-110) Boston +3.5 (-110) | Golden State -165 Boston +140 | Over 211.5 (-110) Under 211.5 (-110) |
| Caesars | Golden State -155 Boston +135 | Golden State -3.5 (-110) Boston +3.5 (-110) | Golden State -160 Boston +140 | Over 211.5 (-110) Under 211.5 (-110) |
| FanDuel | Golden State -160 Boston +130 | Golden State -3.5 (-112) Boston +3.5 (-108) | Golden State -166 Boston +140 | Over 211.5 (-110) Under 211.5 (-110) |
- The Warriors are -166 on the moneyline at FanDuel for Thursday’s Game 1. A moneyline of -166 gives the Warriors 64% probability to win.
- Two series handicaps available at BetMGM Tennessee are Warriors (-2.5) and Celtics (+2.5) with Golden State at +310 and Celtics at -400.
- If you think Curry is poised to go off in the Finals, at FanDuel you can get +1600 for the Golden State star to have the most points, assists, and three-point shots made in the series.
- FanDuel is tempting bettors to pick the Celtics to steal Game 1 on the road with the following prop. Get +480 odds on Boston to win the opening game but lose the series. A winning $50 bet on that Series Parlay would net you $240.
Sports betting bonuses available: Get $1,000 risk-free bet with FanDuel Tennessee Promo Code
Warriors Have ReTooled For Return To NBA Finals
The Warriors have four players remaining who played significant minutes during the run to the 2018 NBA Championship — Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, and Andre Iguodala. While the scoring still channels through the perimeter shooting prowess of Curry and Thompson, the offense also now features Andrew Wiggins and Jordan Poole, both of whom made over 150 triples this season. Poole has earned the nickname “The Microwave” — a tip of the cap to former Detroit Piston Vinnie Johnson, who came off the bench and heated up quickly.
The last time the Warriors won the title, Kevin Durant was in the rotation serving as the big man on campus for clutch moments. But now, the Dubs have several options, and while they tossed more threes at the hoop than all but two teams in the NBA, the defense is where this team strangles opponents. The Warriors ranked first in defensive rating and second in effective field goal percentage against.
The Celtics ranked first in effective FG percentage by opponents, however, and their D is capable of keeping the Warriors’ totals down. Unless something unforeseen happens, like three-point shooters lighting it up on basketball’s biggest stage, the two defenses in this Finals will likely hold scoring low.
