The Two Homegrown Teams

This year's battle for the Larry O'Brien trophy features two homegrown cores in the Celtics and Warriors. However, Golden State has far more championship experience and an odds edge in the series. So, who do you think takes Game 1? 🤔 (4 min read)

Author

Will Gendron
June 02, 2022

We had our first newsletter rain delay last night 😩. Tonight's parlay is Warriors -4 and Jordan Poole over 15.5 points. More info below on a chance to win $100 👇

Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images

A Long Time Coming

You know this, but tonight Boston and Golden State will face off at the Chase Center for Game 1 of the NBA Finals. It's a matchup that hasn't taken place since 1964, when Bill Russell's Celtics took down Wilt Chamberlain's Warriors in five games 🏆

  • Both squads are largely comprised of homegrown cores (👈 these pics are awesome), and regardless of who wins, this sort of team-building will definitely receive praise in today's NBA

  • If you think about it, the only other real contenders that built from the draft are the Bucks, Nuggets, Mavs (kinda) and Suns (also kinda). The Grizzlies, Jazz, Raptors and Hawks get a mini shoutout

Before we breakdown this highly anticipated Game 1, let's take a look at some series parlays and championship odds 👇

Parlays To Consider (subject to change)

  • Steph Curry to average 25+ points and GSW win series: +145 (bet $100, win $145)

  • Klay Thompson, Jaylen Brown or Jordan Poole highest threes average in series: +210

  • Jayson Tatum 40+ points in any series game and BOS win series: +500

There's also the series future lines, which feels accurate, but I'm not sure if I like betting against this Boston team in a seven game series. What do you think? 👇

Championship Odds (subject to change) 

  • Golden State to win: -160 (bet $160, win $100)

  • Boston to win: +135 (bet $100, win $135)

Trivia Question: How many different teams from the Eastern Conference have made it to the Finals in the last five years? (answer below)

Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images

Celtics @ Warriors Preview

Although it would've been insane to see Jimmy Butler clinch a series (👈 imagine if this went in) in which his team was at a clear talent disadvantage, the matchup between Boston and Golden State will be far more competitive 💨

I'm going to break down some burning questions about this Celtics vs. Warriors Finals matchup 👇

  • Can DPOY Marcus Smart slow down Steph Curry? While the sample size is small, he's had some success in making it tough on the Chef 🔒

  • Will the Celtics be able to keep the Warriors honest on defense? So far, Boston has shot 36.2% from deep in the playoffs. They'll need to maintain that average to give Tatum and Brown more room to operate in isolation

  • Can Jordan Poole be the difference maker? With Boston's switch-heavy defense, Poole will have a chance to get downhill against the Celtics' big men on the perimeter — he's been an elite finisher in these playoffs 🔥

If you make mistakes on offense, the Warriors will punish you like no other team in the league. Because of this, I like Golden State in Game 1 at home, but I expect it to be close 🤏

  • Spread: Warriors -4

  • Moneyline: Warriors -168 (bet $168, win $100), Celtics +142 (bet $100, win $142)

  • Over/under: 212.5

Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images

For My Parlay Gurus

The Warriors have made the Chase Center a death wish to opposing teams this postseason, going 9-0. I like Golden State to win a very competitive Game 1, and I'm pairing it with Jordan Poole's over because I think he'll exploit a Celtics team that is willing to let their big men guard in isolation on the perimeter. Check it out 👇

  • Warriors -4 vs. Celtics: -108

  • Jordan Poole over 15.5 points: +102

$100 on this bet would win you $282 — if we hit, make sure you email justin.schnell@itsovertime.com for a chance to win up to $100*. Many will enter, only some will win 😉

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Trivia Answer: Boston is the fifth different team to make it out of the East in the last five years. The other four were Cleveland (2018), Toronto (2019), Miami (2020) and Milwaukee (2021)

*NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Open to legal residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia. Must be 18 years of age or older to enter. Many will enter, only some will win. Giveaway ends 12 hours after the completion of the final game references within the giveaway. The winner will be notified via the email address used to enter. Restrictions apply. See the General Conditions and Releases sections of Overtime's Terms of Use at https://overtime.tv/terms for additional giveaway terms

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