Welcome to an NBA Finals edition of the NBA Betting Notebook. This week's NBA Notes feature the Celtics' historic comeback in Game 1, Adam Silver’s end of season address, an NBA Finals first, and more. Let’s dive in.
NBA Notebook: June 3
Click on each item to read the full update.
- Celtics stun in Game 1
- Silver wraps up season
- Blazing new trails?
- Van Gundy, Breen sidelined
- Embiid gets cut-up
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NBA betting news for this weekend
Celtics stun Warriors with record-setting comeback
For a while, it seemed like Game 1 was going according to script. Steph Curry was in a groove, the Warriors seized control during one of their famous 3rd quarter runs, and Boston was on the ropes. But a 17-0 Q4 quarter run — including a five-minute drought by Golden State — turned the game in stunning fashion at Chase Center.
The quarter ended 40-16, the most lopsided fourth quarter in NBA Finals history. The Celtics now draw first blood in a game that many, including yours truly, thought would be tough sledding for Boston.
Al Horford was on fire in Q4, going 4-for-4 from the field to lead the @celtics comeback to take a 1-0 series lead! #ToastedHighlights pic.twitter.com/X3J5G6XKIC
— NBA (@NBA) June 3, 2022
Of note to bettors was the Total hitting 228, clearing by 14 points despite pre-series assumptions about the defensive prowess of both teams, as well as the Warriors opening at -4.5 favorites to rally in Game 2. The Warriors are also now +145 to win the series, underdogs for the first time in these playoffs.
Game 2 automatically becomes a must-win for the pre-series favorite Warriors. Questions now arise about whether this was a Warriors letdown or a simple case of Boston's role players stepping up. Al Horford and Derrick White were a combined 11-16 from three, and the Celtics overall shot 51.2% from deep. But shooting variance only equalizes over the long haul, and Boston getting a performance like this on the road might be enough to win a close series.
Adam Silver’s end of season address
Adam Silver gave his end-of-season media address just prior to Game 1 tipping off, and as usual, it was loaded with intriguing nuggets and indicators about some upcoming changes to the NBA. Silver dispelled persistent rumors that the NBA would be expanding in 2023-2024, noting that while the NBA is open to the idea, there have been no active discussions to that effect.
LIVE: NBA Commissioner Adam Silver #NBAFinals Media Availability. https://t.co/Vb8CmtB9vL
— NBA (@NBA) June 3, 2022
Silver also noted that the league was having ongoing discussions about removing positional requirements for All-NBA teams. It’s long overdue with the way the modern game is played, and given the financial impact that voting has on eligible players, it’s a necessary change.
Lastly, Silver expressed a desire that the Portland Trail Blazers are not relocated, but it was a perfunctory statement that one could read any number of ways. Which leads us to our third story…
Phil Knight-led group offers $2B for Portland Trail Blazers
Since the death of Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, former owner of the Portland Trail Blazers, the team has been run by his sister Jody Allen. There has been ongoing speculation that Jody would look to sell that team, and now Nike founder Phil Knight is part of a group that has made an over $2 billion dollar offer to purchase the team.
Nike founder Phil Knight and Dodgers co-owner Alan Smolinisky have made a $2 billion-plus written offer to purchase the Portland Trail Blazers, sources tell ESPN. Discussions are ongoing with the Paul Allen trust that's overseeing ownership of team. Story soon.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 2, 2022
It’s far from a done deal though, and the Blazers swiftly released a statement claiming that the team is not for sale. There are also numerous other ownership groups who have eyes set firmly on acquiring the Blazers, and perhaps not all of them are dead-set on keeping them in Portland.
A historic NBA Finals broadcast
It was sadly fitting that in a season wracked by injuries and COVID-19 related absences, even the broadcasting crew for the NBA Finals was impacted. Mike Breen, who missed Game 7 of the Miami Heat vs. Boston Celtics series, missed his second straight game, while Jeff Van Gundy was also ruled out on Thursday afternoon.
Many fans noted that Van Gundy sounded incredibly sick for Game 7 and posited that he was ill with Covid and should not be allowed on the broadcast - something that his Game 1 absence only seems to confirm.
Tonight, Mark Jones, Mark Jackson, and Lisa Salters will represent the first ever NBA Finals broadcast with an all African-American announcing team. pic.twitter.com/VXFoLE0jv5
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) June 2, 2022
There was a silver lining, however. In their place, the loquacious Mark Jones once again took over for the absent Breen. With Jones alongside Mark Jackson in the booth and Lisa Salters working the sideline, Thursday night marked the first NBA Finals broadcast with an all-Black broadcast team.
Joel Embiid’s offseason surgeries
It was a disappointing end for the Philadelphia 76ers, and residents of the City of Brotherly Love must be left wondering how different things might have turned out had their star stayed healthy. Joel Embiid played through a series of calamities during the playoffs, including a torn ligament in his thumb, an orbital fracture, and a concussion.
76ers’ Joel Embiid underwent surgery Monday to repair his right thumb injury, per the team, and he also had a procedure to repair an injury to his left index finger. Neither procedure is expected to impact Embiid’s availability for training camp.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) May 31, 2022
It was announced earlier this week that Embiid had undergone surgery to repair his left thumb injury, as well as a previously undisclosed injury to his right index finger. He’s expected to be ready for the start of training camp, where once again, his health will determine just how far the 76ers' season goes.
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