NBA best bets: Best prop bets for Celtics vs. Warriors

For the second time this season, the Golden State Warriors will match up against the Boston Celtics for a Finals rematch. Last time, the Warriors got the best of the Celtics just over a month ago. Let’s make our best bets for tonight’s matchup.

Celtics vs. Warriors Start Time, Where to Watch, and Odds

• Date: January 19, 2023
• Start Time: 7:30 pm ET
• Where to watch: TNT

Celtics vs. Warriors Prediction

Following their Finals appearance, and loss, the Celtics have been incredibly solid this season. Right now, they’re 33-12, and 17-5 in home games. They’re currently on a seven-game winning streak, too. 

For the Warriors, their season hasn’t been as glamorous. You can’t even call it a championship hangover anymore, as they’re .500 through 44 games. They’ve dealt with plenty of injuries, which hasn’t helped, but they’re also 5-17 in road games. 

Now, the Celtics having Jaylen Brown questionable is a big reason that the Warriors might have a shot in this matchup. If the Celtics have Brown, they should be able to beat the Warriors pretty easily. The Warriors are without four players to injury, though. Without as much depth, they’re going to struggle against a very deep Celtics team.

Whether Brown plays or not, I like the Celtics to win. But, if he plays, they should be able to cover as 6.5-point favorites. 

Celtics vs. Warriors Prop Picks

Jayson Tatum over 31.5 points (-120) (Bet $100 to collect $183) Get the best odds, available at DraftKings

Tatum needs a bounce-back game against the Warriors. He’s been consistent in January, not scoring less than 20 points yet. Recently, he scored 33 points against the Hornets, then followed it up with 51 points, yet again against the Hornets.

He’s covered this prop in four of his last six games, and one of the misses was a 31-point performance. With the potential of playing without Brown, Tatum is going to have to lead his squad to a big win over the Warriors and prove he can put together a big game against them.

Stephen Curry over 27.5 points (-110) (Bet $100 to collect $191) Get the best odds, available at DraftKings

While Tatum is coming off a 51-point game, Curry is coming off a 41-point game. Different circumstances, though. Curry’s first three games back from injury weren’t particularly good games. But, the 41-point game should help Curry continue getting back into his rhythm, as he’s averaging 29.3 points per game on the season.

He should be able to cover this prop, just like he did the last time these two teams met. He may not score 40 or more, but covering shouldn’t be an issue. 

Klay Thompson over 3.5 threes (-124) (Bet $100 to collect $180) Get the best odds, available at DraftKings

Like Curry, Thompson had a big game against the Celtics last time around. He scored 34 points while knocking down four threes. The name of Klay’s game is shooting the three ball, as everyone knows, and I love picking these props with three-point specialists. Thompson shoots an average of 10.4 threes per game, and that’s more than enough to cover this prop. He’s made an average of 4.1 threes per game on the season, which is covering this prop with ease. I like Thompson to have another big game against the Celtics while covering this prop.

Celtics vs. Warriors Player Prop Picks

• Jayson Tatum over 31.5 points (-120)
• Stephen Curry over 27.5 points (-110)
• Klay Thompson over 3.5 threes (-124)