Filip Tomic
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The series opener between the Cavs and Celtics wasn’t all that competitive, we can only hope things get better in Game 2 tonight at TD Garden. Tipoff is for 7 pm ET on ESPN, I’ve prepared a Same Game Parlay to make things a bit more interesting.
For predictions on the side and total for Thursday’s NBA postseason games, simply visit our NBA picks page.
Let’s dive into my SGP bet now!
Over 212 (-112)
Jayson Tatum to score 25+ points (-175)
Donovan Mitchell to score 30+ points (-105)
Evan Mobley to record 8+ rebounds (-430)
Same Game Parlay odds: +410
Over 212 (-112)
This portion of the SGP bet is all about the Celtics and their offensive output. Relying on the Cavaliers to carry the load offensively would be foolish, they have cracked the 100-point mark just twice in 8 postseason games so far. The Celtics, on the other hand, have the fourth-most efficient offense through 6 games played averaging 119.8 points per 100 possessions. This team has led the league in offensive efficiency for most of the season, so even if the Cavs have another poor scoring game, Boston should score enough to get us over the total.
The blowout win in Game 1 was the 19th win by 25+ points for the Celtics this regular season and offseason, the most by any team in a single season in NBA history. Not much should change in Game 2; Cleveland is just overmatched in every aspect. Hopefully the Celtics can continue delivering on both ends and land our first bet of the parlay.
Jayson Tatum to score 25+ points (-175)
Tatum didn’t have the best of games in Game 1 on Tuesday, but that shouldn’t worry us too much here. In fact, I think a breakout bounce-back performance is expected. Cleveland is one of his favorite opponents, prior to the series opener he was on a run of 6 straight games of at least 25 points. Unlike Luka Doncic, for example, he isn’t bothered by an injury that could slow him down. He averaged 26 points per game in 3 regular-season meetings against the Cavs, I think it’s about time he showed us why he is Boston’s best player this season.
Donovan Mitchell to score 30+ points (-105)
Mitchell continued to rack up the points for his team, scoring a game-high 33 points in the opener. That didn’t do much for the Cavs, as they finished under 100 points for their fourth straight playoff road game. Nevertheless, that shouldn’t discourage Mitchell to go for it again on Thursday. It might motivate him to even do better; his team is clearly limited on that end of the floor, so he may have to do his best Allen Iverson impression and go for 40+ just to keep the Cavaliers in it. During the regular season he averaged 30 points in 2 meetings with the Cavs; if we expand that to the last 10 games head-to-head he is at 33.5 points per game against the Cs dating back to his Utah days. Don’t be surprised if Mitchell goes crazy on offense.
Evan Mobley to record 8+ rebounds (-430)
This bet is all about the injury to Evan Mobley. The Cavaliers really missed their defensive anchor in Game 1, getting out-rebounded 55-38 overall and 13-7 on the offensive end. It wasn’t because Mobley didn’t deliver, though. He finished the game with 13 total boards and 5 of them on the offensive end. That performance tied his second-best output in a game this postseason, plus it was his 4th game in 5 outings with at least 8 boards for the Cavs. He averaged 9.1 per game against Orlando, Being the lone rebounding option even against a loaded Boston team, I think his numbers are going to look good. He is averaging 10.5 boards per game in the last 8 meetings, plus he has failed to clear this line just twice in those 8 games.
