Game 1 is in the books and the Golden State Warriors emerged as victors behind 34 points from Stephen Curry.
James Harden managed only six free throws, and he also fell just one assist shy of a triple-double.
The series is going to feature a lot of scoring, with the teams combining for 216 points in Game 1. Let’s delve into the player prop bets.
James Harden over/under 28.5 points
This is really tough, because it depends not just on Harden, but also on the refs. There’s been a big disparity between different officiating crews and how liberal they are with giving Harden calls. In Game 1, he scored 28 points, and it stands to reason he does that again tonight. Given how spot-on the over/under is, this is actually a prop bet I’d steer clear of.
James Harden over/under 5.5 rebounds
OVER. Harden had 11 rebounds in Game 1, and if Dwight Howard is ailing (or out), he’s going to have to hit the glass hard again. Harden should be good for at least six rebounds, which is all it takes to be over on this prop, of course.
James Harden over/under 9 made FTs
UNDER. I’m just not liking Harden’s chances of getting all the whistles. He’s averaging 10 free throws per game at a 93 percent clip, which seemingly would make this a safe over. But with so much on the line, refs are reticent to give him the continuations and sketchy calls he gets with regularity in the regular season.
Josh Smith over/under 13 points
OVER. Smith scored 17 in Game 1, and this series is well-suited to his strengths with a lot of transition play and fast paced, erratic…well, Smith just excels at getting up bad shots, but since when was this at all about field goal percentage?
Stephen Curry over/under 27.5 points
OVER. Chef Curry is just getting cooking after 34 in Game 1, and it’s hard to bet against him with Patrick Beverley unavailable to Houston. Jason Terry has nary a chance of staying in front of Curry, and unless Corey Brewer puts the clamps on him (hard to do with so many screens), Curry scores 30 plus in this one. Curry is averaging over 28 points per game in the playoffs.
Stephen Curry over/under 7.5 assists
UNDER. Curry is going to be looking primarily for his offense, and he’s averaging 6.6 assists per game in the postseason. He had just five assists in Game 1, and while he’s playing incredible ball, it’s not really a dime show.
Stephen Curry over/under 1.5 made threes
OVER. Do I really even have to explain this one? Do I?He hit six in Game 1 and is averaging even more threes per game (4.7) in the postseason than he did during the regular season (3.6). This is the best value bet on the schedule for tonight.