2023 NBA May 22/23 Betting Predictions
There are just 4 teams left in the race for the NBA Finals. In the East, Game 1 between the Celtics and Pacers comes to you from the TD Garden on Wednesday morning. Can the #6 seed Pacers go all the way or will the #1 seeded Celtics take them down? On Thursday, it's the Western Conference finals matchup between the #3 seed Timberwolves and #5 seed Mavericks. The T-Wolves rallied to defeat the defending champs Nuggets in Game 7 but can Luka and Irving stop them? Here's how Game 1 is shaping up in both conferences.
Indiana Pacers at Boston Celtics (Game 1)
The Pacers were the top-scoring team in the NBA this season, averaging 123.3 points per game with 50.7% shooting from the field and 37.4% from three-point range. In the postseason, they're still leading the pack, scoring 114.2 points per game with 50.7% from the field and 38.1% from behind the arc. Seven Pacers players are averaging double digits in the playoffs, with Pascal Siakam leading at 21.1 points per game. Tyrese Haliburton is fourth in playoff assists at 8.1 per game, after leading the NBA in assists during the regular season. When the Pacers get hot offensively, they’re as good as anyone in the NBA. We saw their potential in Game Seven against the Knicks, but facing the Celtics is a bigger challenge.
Defensively, the Pacers have had a rough season, allowing 120.2 points per game and second-to-last in field goal percentage defence at 49.6%. In the postseason, they’re giving up 110.8 points per game, with opponents shooting 46.7% from the field and 36.8% from three. Pascal Siakam is making a difference in rebounding with 7.5 per game. Their defence doesn’t need to be perfect because their offence is so strong, but it will be crucial in this series against the Celtics.
The Celtics have been the most well-rounded and best team in the NBA this season. They were second in scoring with 120.6 points per game and second in three-point percentage at 38.8%. In the postseason, they’re averaging 108.1 points per game, shooting 48.0% from the field and 37.7% from three. Five Celtics players are averaging double digits, with Jayson Tatum leading at 24.3 points per game. Tatum’s been a game-changer, also leading in rebounds with 10.4 per game and assists with 5.8 per game.
The Celtics' defence has been solid all year, both in the regular season and postseason. They ranked fifth in scoring defence, allowing 109.2 points per game, second in field goal percentage defence at 45.3%, and fourth in three-point percentage defence at 35.2%. In the playoffs, they’re allowing just 96.7 points per game, with opponents shooting 44.9% from the field and 33.8% from three. Their defense needs to step up too, given how well the Pacers are playing on offense.
In Game 1 between the Celtics and Pacers, I like the Over. The total has gone OVER in 13 of Indiana's last 18 games, in 4 of Boston's last 6 games and in 12 of Boston's last 18 games against Indiana.
Stadium Record
Boston are 6-4 in their last 10 at home. Indiana are 1-10 SU in their last 11 games.
Head to Head Record
In the last 10, the Celtics are 6-4.
Best Bet
Dallas Mavericks at Minnesota Timberwolves (Game 1)
The Mavericks knocked out the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder, which I don't think was a huge surprise but it took the Mavs 7 games. This team has faced doubts before, especially regarding the compatibility of stars Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. Despite scepticism, they've proven critics wrong and now turn their attention to the Timberwolves for a chance at NBA Finals glory. Doncic has notched triple-doubles in three consecutive games, boasting an impressive postseason average of 27.3 points, 9.7 rebounds and 9.1 assists per game. Irving, had a stellar performance against the Timberwolves earlier in the year, where he scored 35 points and averages 28 points in his last eight matchups against them.
On the other hand, the Minnesota Timberwolves, stunned the basketball world by eliminating the defending champions, the Denver Nuggets. As the three-seed, they now enjoy home-court advantage, a rarity in their postseason history marked by limited success. Anthony Edwards has emerged as a star, averaging 28.9 points per game in the playoffs, showcasing his dominance with a 44-point performance in Game 4 against the Nuggets. With an average of 24.5 points per game against the Mavericks and a pivotal role in this upcoming series, Edwards remains a key factor for the Timberwolves to advance.
Should be a tough and close series between these two teams so I like the Under in Game 1. The Under is 10-5 in the Mavs last 15 games and 7-2 when they play the T-Wolves.
Stadium Record
Minnesota hold a 1-4 record in their last 5 home games. Dallas are 1-6 in their last 7 games when playing on the road against Minnesota.
Head to Head Record
The T-Wolves are 6-4 in the last 10 meetings.
Best Bet
