The NBA Conference Finals will be lacking in drama, with both series likely to be head-to-head battles between the Celtics and Mavericks.
Indiana enters Game 4 on Monday night as a 7.5-point home underdog trying to save its season, with oddsmakers like DraftKings clearly predicting a sweep.
Leading up to Game 1, the Celtics found themselves unable to get the ball or have their shots blocked.
Smart bettors crushed that trend into oblivion.
All of these prop projections have plummeted as Myles Turner had a 100% win rate for the block, steal and block + steal props in his first three games.
Bettors who followed this trend have made profits of over 10 units over the three matches, but oddsmakers are adjusting as usual.
Turner’s projected prop has dropped to 1.5 steals + blocks ahead of Game 4, and Tyrese Haliburton is likely out of action going forward.
Celtics vs Pacers predictions
(8 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Andrew Nembard was making shots, and especially in Game 3 when he scored 32 points, so many were joking about his sudden rise.
He kept the Pacers ahead for much of the game before the Celtics fought back ferociously to win.
If Nembard can’t keep up his hot shooting form, the Pacers will likely be beaten at home on Monday.
That’s where players like Payton Pritchard, Sam Hauser and Xavier Tillman Sr. could find themselves doing mop-up duties.
Based on oddsmakers’ take on this matchup, it seems likely the Celtics will be able to bench their starters for the majority of Monday’s game.
Hauser played 22 minutes in Game 2 (making 1 of 5 3-pointers).
Do you bet on the NBA?
Target Hauser in Game 4. He’s taking a ton of shots, but his poor shooting is downright shocking considering the Pacers have the worst defense in the NBA playoffs.
Hauser is 1 of 11 in the series and has attempted multiple 3-pointers in each game he has played.
He has a projected rating of 3.5 points according to FanDuel and BetMGM, but he’s a good bet given how the game is expected to play out and the freedom he has to attack whenever he has the ball.
Every over from Hauser is worth a shot.
That’s my plan of attack for game four.
Predictions: Hauser to score at least 3.5 points (-113, BetMGM) | Make at least 2 3-pointers (+175, FanDuel) | Score at least 10 points (+500, Bet365)
