For Game 3 of the NBA Finals, I'm backing two players per side to make an impact in my +390 same-game parlay.
The pregame narrative: Jayson Tatum hasn't been effective as a scorer, but I think he and Derrick White can find other ways to contribute to the Boston Celtics. On the Dallas Mavericks' side, I'm backing Luka Doncic and P.J. Washington to step up in what is essentially a must-win game.
Check out the full Celtics vs. Mavericks SGP picks for Game 3 on Wednesday, June 12.
Celtics vs. Mavericks SGP picks
Parlay: Tatum over 8.5 rebounds + Doncic over 8.5 rebounds + Washington over 1.5 threes + White over 1.5 steals/blocks (+390)
Tatum over 8.5 rebounds (-200): Tatum's shooting numbers have gone sideways, but that hasn't made him any less reliable on the glass.
Through a pair of Finals games, Tatum is shooting just 31.6% from the field — but he's cashed this rebounding prop both times.
Tatum is averaging 10.3 RPG in the postseason and has gone over 8.5 rebounds in 13 of 16 games. He leads the Celtics in rebound chances per game (14.6), according to NBA.com's player tracking data.
If Tatum regains his scoring touch, you might see his assist volume take a hit. But that shouldn't be a concern for this rebound volume — especially because the grand majority of his rebounds come on the defensive end.
Other parlay picks
Doncic over 8.5 rebounds (-230): Tatum isn't the only non-centre worth backing on the rebound prop market in this matchup.
Doncic, coming off a triple-double, has gone over 8.5 boards in 10 of his past 12 games — including both meetings with Boston. He might be a point guard on the official lineup, but he frequently crashes the rim on defence.
Like Tatum, Doncic leads his team in rebound chances (14.4/game). With that in mind, this really isn't too lofty of a number.
Boston has allowed the fewest rebounds per game this postseason, but that hasn't mattered for Doncic so far. He almost always finds a way to get his.
Washington over 1.5 threes (-240): The Mavericks need a lot more productivity from their role players. And that starts with Washington.
Dallas' non-Doncic shooters are 5-for-32 (15.6%) from 3-point range in the Finals, with Washington going just 1-for-8 within that group. A change of scenery should do him well, though.
The trade deadline acquisition has canned two or more 3-pointers in six straight home games — and in 11 of his past 14 games overall.
Doncic is the only player the Celtics have consistently had to worry about so far. If they offer more help to cover him, guys like Washington should be open for business beyond the arc.
White over 1.5 steals/blocks (-220): White made one of the biggest plays of the game on Sunday, swatting a Dallas dunk attempt in the final minute that would've cut Boston's lead to three.
That type of play is nothing new for White, who at 6-foot-4 might be the best shot-blocking guard in the NBA. He's averaged 1.2 blocks through the regular season and playoffs.
White had two blocks and three steals in Game 2. He has cleared this steals/blocks line in seven of his past nine games, averaging 3.2 "stocks" per game.
Picks as of 1:20 p.m. on 06/11/2024.