NBA Picks & Parlay for June 6-7

And so, after an anti-climatic Conference Finals, the unlikely matchup of the Boston Celtics and the Dallas Mavericks in the 2024 NBA Finals is days away. But, before going further, let's take a moment to honor former Celtics legend and Portland Trailblazer Bill Walton. Known as "The Big Red Head" and for his exceptional passing skills and tenacious defense, Walton died last Monday at 71 from cancer. With the shadow of Walton's 86-NBA championship Celtics front in center, the NBA betting world is on pins and needles. But, for the PA sports betting experts, it's another day at the office with the top betting tips to ensure you win Game One, regardless.

For Luka Doncic and the Mavericks, making their third-ever Finals appearance, came completely out of left field to borrow an MLB term. All throughout the season, fans and NBA experts questioned whether the Mavs made a mistake in trading for the controversial Kyrie Irving. And Coach Jason Kidd pulled the Mavs together after a slow start and many losing streaks. Thanks to clutch shots by Doncic and Irving, they are in prime position to steal game one as the underdogs with +200 odds.

We can't find fault with the odds of sportsbookies. Game One and this entire series have all the markings for going the distance. Still, Jayson Tatum and Jalen Brown have been making clutch plays of their own to make their second NBA Finals appearance in four years. You can believe they still feel the sting of losing to the Golden State Warriors, so in our opinion, look for them to will the Celtics to a first-game win at -245 odds, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.

Normally, in the playoffs, the veteran Al Horford comes up huge with clutch threes, so our money is on Big Al to score over 7 points with the player prop line of +102. To jump on the second leg of your Game One parlay, look for Jrue Holiday to come off the Celtics bench and channel his inner "Vinnie the Microwave Johnson" bunch, scoring over 12 points at -130 odds.

With Luka Doncic making his first-ever final appearance, look for him to further build your same-game parlays with a monster Game One, scoring over 31 points at 120 odds. After a slow first half, look for Kyrie Irving to bust loose and help you make some extra side cash by scoring over 23 points at -118 odds. 

FanDuel also helps you get a jump on future bets by having an endless list of worthy players to emerge as the 2024 NBA Finals MVP. While Jason Tutum is a top choice at 120 odds and Brown a close second at +600 odds, look for the Celtics' dark horse, Jrue Holiday, to win the NBA Finals MVP at +6500 odds. Jrue Holiday has been flat out scoring the rock, so look for him to have a big series with Tatum and Brown getting so many double teams.