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Betting tips for 2022 NBA Finals: Warriors-Celtics Game 5

Jayson Tatum has averaged 31.0 PPG, 9.0 RPG and 5.0 APG in his last six games coming off a loss. Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images

All odds are provided by Caesars Sportsbook.


What you need to know for Game 5 of the NBA Finals

Role change: Stephen Curry and Jayson Tatum drive their respective offenses, but both are being asked to do so in a very different way this series. Curry has averaged 3.1 made shots per assist in the Finals, while Tatum has averaged 0.9 made shots per assist.

Fading Warriors passing: A great defense is able to make an offense operate away from its comfort zone. While the Warriors continue to go through Curry, the trademark passing and cutting that has been a staple of their dynastic run just simply hasn't been the same this series. They've assisted on just 59.1% of made buckets, down from the 66.9% rate they held both during the regular season and playoffs prior to the NBA Finals. Betting the over on Golden State assist props is a scary proposition, as is backing any Warrior besides Curry.

-- Kyle Soppe


Breaking down Game 5

Boston Celtics at Golden State Warriors
9 p.m ET, Chase Center, San Francisco

Line: Warriors (-4.0)
Money line: Warriors (-170), Celtics (+145)
Total: 212 points
BPI Projected Total: 222.8 points
BPI Win%: Celtics (52.8%)

Questionable: Robert Williams III (knee), Andre Iguodala (knee), Otto Porter Jr. (foot)
Note: BPI numbers factor in players who are ruled out but assume questionable players will play

Notable: The Celtics are 7-0 ATS following a loss this postseason (4-0 as a favorite and 3-0 as an underdog.

Best bet: Celtics ML, 1H (+125)

The "third quarter Warriors" angle has gotten plenty of attention, and rightfully so. But the Celtics are 3-1 in first halves during this series and have won the first half by at least six points in each of their past five games following a loss. -- Soppe

Best bet: Jayson Tatum over 26.5 points. It has been an underwhelming series for Tatum from a scoring perspective, but he can produce in Game 5. While he was 0-for-6 on shots inside the paint but outside of 4 feet, it's more encouraging that he was taking those shots. So I'll take my chances with him converting at a higher rate tonight. Tatum has averaged 27.9 PPG on 48.3% shooting and 5.2 more shots in those games than Jaylen Brown. If the Celtics are going to bounce back, Tatum will likely be a big reason why. -- Soppe

Best bet: Jayson Tatum over 40.5 points + assists + rebounds. Tatum has consistently played well following a loss in this postseason. He has gone over 40.5 PAR in five of his past six games after a loss, averaging 31.0 PPG, 9.0 RPG and 5.0 APG in those six contests. -- André Snellings

Best bet: Marcus Smart over 15.5 points. Smart has become a consistent third scoring option for the Celtics behind Tatum and Brown this postseason. He has averaged 16.2 PPG in his past 13 outings and scored at least 18 points in four of his past five games. -- Snellings

Best bet: Jaylen Brown over 33.5 points + rebounds + assists. Tatum has struggled this series, shooting 27.5% (14-51) on 2-pointers, which is on pace to easily be the worst by any player in the Finals over the past 40 seasons. My eyes are on Brown, as Boston has been so good this postseason following a loss and has played better on the road. As Tatum continues to struggle, Brown will need to step up, and he should hit over this mark, as he did in Game 1. -- Erin Dolan

Best bet: Jayson Tatum over 5.5 assists. The fact that Tatum has done everything for the Celtics, besides scoring effectively, is reflected in his 29% usage rate in the Finals. He's shooting a dismal 34.1% from the field but has been very good at making plays, averaging 7.8 APG. No other player has averaged more than 6.0 APG. -- Eric Moody

Best bet: Jaylen Brown over 6.5 rebounds. Brown has averaged 6.8 RPG this postseason. This trend should continue tonight as the Warriors have attempted 85.8 field goals per game, leaving plenty of rebounding opportunities. -- Moody

Best bet: Andrew Wiggins over 26.5 points + assists + rebounds. Wiggins had 17 points, two assists and a career-high 16 rebounds in Game 4. He showed how important he can be in this series and has averaged 16.5 PPG, 1.5 APG and 8.5 RPG for the series. -- Moody

Best bet: Kevon Looney over 14.5 points + rebounds. Looney scored six points and grabbed 11 rebounds in 26 minutes in Game 4. His presence was felt on both ends of the court, finishing with a game-high plus-21 while coming off the bench. The Warriors have had a 55% rebounding percentage when Looney is on the court. -- Moody