Jayson Tatum Odds and Props: Boston's Superstar Does the Dirty Work

The Boston Celtics are one win away from taking home their first NBA title since 2007-08, while the Dallas Mavericks appear to have no answers for them, even on their home court.

After a 106-99 Game 3 win in Dallas, Boston enters Game 4 as a 1-point favorite according to the NBA odds. With a chance to pull off the sweep, the Celtics will need Jayson Tatum to continue finding ways to impact the game despite his shooting slump.

Find out where my best Jayson Tatum bets lie in our Celtics vs. Mavs predictions and NBA picks for Friday, June 14.

Jayson Tatum prop picks for June 14

• Over 15.5 rebounds + assists (-102)
• Over 15.5 rebounds + assists/Under 27.5 points/Under 3.5 threes (+369)

Click on each pick to jump to the full analysis.

Jayson Tatum best bet

Over 15.5 rebounds + assists (-102)

Without question, Jayson Tatum has dealt with scoring issues throughout the NBA Finals. So much so that Jaylen Brown has overtaken him as the favorite in NBA Finals MVP odds despite Tatum leading that market since it opened.

However, Tatum’s shooting woes are the perfect example of what makes this Boston Celtics roster so dangerous. Rather than become a net negative against the Dallas Mavericks, he’s flashed the facilitating and rebounding ability that has been so crucial to Boston’s success all postseason.

Through three games against Dallas, Tatum’s averaging a team-best 8.7 rebounds and 7.3 assists, having topped 15.5 combined in two of three games. He’s already recorded two double-doubles in the series, one with rebounds and one with assists, and has been a double-double machine all playoffs.

In 17 postseason starts, Tatum has put on a masterclass as a rebounder while showcasing his playmaking instincts. Not only has he recorded 13 double-doubles, but he’s averaging 10.1 rebounds and 6.2 assists, both of which lead the Celtics.

Tatum hasn’t shied away from using his size and athleticism to battle for boards, and he’s frequently taken advantage of the talented shooters around him to rack up assists. The Mavericks don’t have the defenders to slow down Brown, Jrue Holiday, and Derrick White — and Tatum’s taken advantage by setting them up.

With 12 games of at least 16 combined rebounds and assists this playoffs, Dallas doesn’t have the frontcourt talent to be the team to contain Tatum. This season, the Mavs allowed power forwards to put up 15.36 rebounds and assists per game, and Tatum’s far better than the average starting four.

Considering the Boston superstar is averaging 43 minutes of floor time per game and shooting worse than anyone else in the C’s rotation, expect him to continue to embrace his role as glass cleaner and playmaker tonight.

Prop: Over 15.5 rebounds + assists (-102 at FanDuel)

Jayson Tatum same-game parlay

Over 15.5 rebounds + assists

Under 27.5 points

Under 3.5 threes

+369 at FanDuel

There’s been non-stop debate throughout the playoffs about how good Tatum is given his scoring inconsistencies. Despite his inability to score at the same level as other All-NBA talents this postseason, he’s managed to remain a constant plus on the court due to his all-around talent.

While he’s coming off a 31-point game against Dallas, his shooting still remains a question. He put together an impressive first quarter in Game 3, but scored just 18 over the remaining three quarters while averaging 36.8% from the floor and 22.2% from three.

Essentially, he’s been sporadic at best outside of one quarter of the NBA Finals. Tatum enters tonight at 21.7 points per game in the series, shooting 35.9% from the floor and hitting only 29.6% from behind the arc in the series.

This isn’t a new issue either. Tatum's only eclipsed 27.5 points in six of 17 postseason games while connecting on fewer than four 3-pointers in 15 games this playoffs. It hasn’t mattered because he’s surrounded by superb players and he’s embraced his role as the team’s best rebounder and facilitator.

Even with Dallas on the brink, it’s hard to imagine Tatum suddenly finding his shot, especially when Boston has been cruising with him focusing on pulling down boards and finding open shooters. The Celtics’ star is happily averaging 25.2 points and 2.2 made 3-pointers per game this postseason, and that likely won’t need to change for them to win Game 4.

Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.

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