The debate of “Rust vs. Rest” is on full display in Game 1 of the NBA Finals, with the Celtics shelved for 10 days between games. However, Boston is the best first-half bet in basketball, owning a 63-32-1 record against the 1H spread on the season (+25.3 units). During the playoffs, Boston is scoring 59.4 points in the opening 24 minutes while Dallas has been slower out of the blocks, averaging less than 53 1H points in the postseason. The Garden will be rocking for Game 1 and I like the Celtics to cover the -3.5 1H spread – which is already up to -4 at sharper books.
Total PicksDAL 171, BOS 57
pureporkchop is #1 on picking games that Dallas are in with a record of (54-35-1) and +14400 units on the season.
seattle-8 is #1 on picking games that Boston is in with a record of (52-35-2) and +11900 units on the season.
Geo Lazos is #10 on picking games that Dallas are in with a record of (45-40-1) and +10400 units on the season.
Swish! is #2 on picking games that Dallas are in with a record of (34-19-1) and +13600 units on the season.
sandhog1 is #2 on picking games that Boston is in with a record of (1-0-0) and +11850 units on the season.
StevenB606 is #4 on picking games that Boston is in with a record of (53-40-1) and +10600 units on the season.
fishercz is #6 on picking games that Dallas are in with a record of (48-39-1) and +11350 units on the season.
Last Updated: April 11, 2023
After a loss to the Philadelphia 76ers to start last week, the Boston Celtics took care of business by vanquishing the Raptors twice and then the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday night. They are now playoff bound in the second seed in the east and away their opponent from the play-in game between the Miami Heat and the Hawks.
Boston is still near the top of the odds board at most books, trailing only the Milwaukee Buck, with the second-best odds to win the NBA Finals.
With the playoffs just around the corner, make sure to read our free Celtics picks before betting.
Check our up-to-date schedule for Boston Celtics games.
Yes, you can bet on Celtics odds at regulated sportsbooks in states where betting is legal.
NBA superstar Jayson Tatum highlights the Celtics roster along with Jaylen Brown and Marus Smart.