Around the Association: Warriors Take Game 1 + Prop Bets for Celtics-Heat Game 2

Around the Association: Warriors Take Game 1 + Prop Bets for Celtics-Heat Game 2

This article is part of our NBA Daily Recap series.

Welcome back to another edition of Around the Association. The Conference Finals continued Wednesday night with Game 1 between Golden State and Dallas. Here is all of the fantasy-relevant playoff information you need to know:

Wednesday Recap

Warriors start strong

  • Golden State got off to a strong start against the Mavericks and did not look back, finishing with a 112-87 Game 1 win. Stephen Curry led the attack for the Warriors, ending with a game-high 21 points (7-16 FG, 3-9 3Pt, 4-7 FT), 12 rebounds, four assists, one block and one steal across 31 minutes. The 34-year-old did not have the most efficient shooting day, but his 12 rebounds marked a new season-best.
    • Jordan Poole found his groove off the bench with 19 points (8-12 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 2-2 FT), two rebounds, three assists and one steal across 26 minutes. This was great to see out of Poole who had been averaging just 9.7 points per game across the Warriors' previous three contests before.
  • This was not Luka Doncic's night. The star guard ended the defeat with a playoff-low 20 points (6-18 FG, 3-10 3Pt, 5-8 FT), seven rebounds, four assists and one steal over 35 minutes. There are certainly better games ahead for Doncic, who is still averaging  30.5 points, 9.8 rebounds and 6.4 assists per game this postseason.
    • Spencer Dinwiddie continues to provide off of the bench for Dallas, finishing with 17 points (5-11 FG, 3-7 3Pt, 4-5 FT), one rebound and two assists across 24 minutes. Over his last three appearances, the veteran point guard is averaging 20.7 points and 2.3 assists per game as a reserve. 

Thursday's Props

All odds via FanDuel Sportsbook

  • Jimmy Butler Over 26.5 points (-104)
    • I think Butler is still getting too much disrespect. The star forward has been locked in since the playoffs started, and he's topped 32 points in four out of his last five appearances. Throughout the entire postseason Butler is averaging 29.0 points per game. I like the Marquette product's chances of topping his points prop total once again in Game 2.
  • Marcus Smart over 19.5 points and assists (-120)
    • Smart was held out of Game 1 with a foot injury but is expected to be back for Game 2. Boston severely needs their lockdown defender against Miami's tough scoring guards and to make matters worse, fellow teammate Derrick White (personal) will not be in action tonight. This in turn opens up plenty of opportunities for Smart to get involved Thursday. I am expecting a big outing from Smart in his series debut.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Michael Spero
Michael is a former RotoWire contributor. He wrote in the NBA and NCAAF departments for RotoWire. He is a big-time fan of both the Bulls and Nuggets. Michael spends his time playing pick-up or anxiously rooting for his fantasy teams.
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