Betting: NBA Conference Finals Picks
Jared Quay selects his picks to win the Eastern Conference and Western Conference Finals.
Video Transcript
JARED QUAY: Jared Quay here for the NBA Conference Finals. I'm going to give you two series picks winners. If you like them, back me. If not, don't hate on me.
Up first, I got the Miami Heat at plus 135 to win the Eastern Conference. I know the Celtics are hot. They just swept the Nets. They beat the defending champ Bucks. And I'm betting against them here and for three reasons.
A, coaching. Eric Spoelstra has been here just two years ago, one of the best coaches in the NBA. I think experience here will play a big part in such a close series. B, defense-- specifically, PJ Tucker, one of the best defenders in the league, an unsung hero, was on the Bucks team last year when they won the championship. And if he can start on Jayson Tatum, I really don't see how the Celtics can overcome this Heat team.
And lastly, 3-point shooting. Strus, Vincent, Herro, Robinson-- all these guys need to make their shots, which I think they're more than capable of. And basically, they just have to outperform the Celtics bench, which I don't think is going to be very tough. With that being the case, I know they're the dogs. I know the Celtics are a great team. But you add a home court advantage, I think the Heat win, and I'm probably taking the under on all games played this series.
Onto the Western Conference, I'm taking a well pick in minus 250 with the Warriors to defeat the Dallas Mavericks. The Mavericks just shocked us when they beat the Suns. Played lights out. Luka Doncic might even be the best player in this series. I know Steph Curry is a two-time MVP.
But I don't think they have what it takes to beat the Warriors. This team is just too stacked. They have the triple Splash Brothers now because Jordan Poole is lights out. If he plays any way he's been playing the whole regular season, I don't see the Mavericks keeping up.
Draymond Green will play a huge role in this series. And I feel like the Warriors will play a lot more smaller ball, which affords such a big matchup like Luka and Draymond. And I think that Luka may be a liability if he has to play against a trio of guards because they are so much a passing and moving team. It will tie him up on the offensive end.
And lastly, only way the Mavericks do have a real shot is if Spencer Dinwiddie comes out to play like he did in game 7, which scares me. I know 250 is a lofty line. But I think the Warriors will go back to the finals for the sixth time in the last eight years. So to recap, I have the Heat taking down the Celtics in the Eastern Conference and the Warriors downing the Mavericks in the West for a showtime Finals of the Warriors versus the Heat.
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