The Finals are finally here, and we have a host of prop bets to evaluate for Game 1. Game 1 prop bets can be a bit tricky, because other than the two regular season meetings between the teams, we have very little precedent. Things will be different than their previous series in this playoff, because, well, there are different opponents. Consequently, I stayed away from more bets than usual, but I’ll explain why, and take a look at the ones that I did feel confident on given past performances or other considerations.

LeBron James 30.5 points

Staying away from this. 30 sounds about right for tonight as he begins to feel the Thunder defense out in preparation for bigger games later this series.

LeBron James 15.5 Rebs + Asts

Staying away from this one, too. James’ totals have been precariously close to this figure for the last 3 games, with him hitting the boards hard and not picking up the assists. I’d like to see how things play out further before determining where I stand on his rebs +asts prop bets.

Dwyane Wade 23.5 pts

OVER. I think Wade has 25 to 28 tonight. I realize Sefolosha and Harden are good defenders, but Wade has been to the Finals before, and they haven’t. His Finals experience could be huge this entire series.

Dwyane Wade 10.5 Rebs + Asts

OVER. I think he gets 12 combined. Over his career he is averaging 11 rebs + asts vs the Thunder and he has been over in both of the last two games as well.

Chris Bosh 16 pts

Staying away from this one, too. Bosh just came back from injury and I’m not quite sure how healthy he really is.

Chris Bosh 7.5 rebs

Staying away from this for the same reason as the points.

Mario Chalmers 14 Pts + asts

UNDER. Westbrook is going to wear Chalmers out on defense and he’s been under in 2 of the last 3 games.

Udonis Haslem 13.5 Pts + Rebs

OVER. Haslem had some big rebound games in the last series (14 & 17) and while he isn’t scoring the ball that well 5.3 ppg over the last three, he should be able to milk a good series, and the Heat need him to.

Kevin Durant 29 pts

OVER. As I said in the Finals MVP article, Durant needs to step it up. As always with Durant, I am a little hesitant due to Westbrook’s ball hogging tendencies, but if Westbrook does indeed realize he is the second option and Durant is the work horse, Durant should score 30+

Kevin Durant 12 Rebs + Asts

Staying away. He’s been too inconsistent with his rebounding and when he grabbed 14 in game 7 and only 4 in game 6, that makes this too risky a bet.

Russell Westbrook 23.5 pts

OVER. I see both Westbrook and Durant having huge games, and I think the Thunder win tonight. Westbrook will score 26 to 29 points, most likely.

James Harden 17 pts

OVER. Harden has had a number of big games, and the Thunder need him to get at least 20. In game three against the Celtics, Harden put up 30.

Serge Ibaka 17.5 Pts + Rebs

UNDER. Because I think the Thunder are going to focus on their true scorers in a game like this, I don’t see Harden having another 11 of 11 night from the field and he’ll have to rebound hard to beat this total.

Serge Ibaka 3 blocks

Staying away fro this one. Ibaka has had 2.5 over the last 4 games. Besides that, there isn’t as much value in prop bets when the number is this low. He hasn’t had a huge block game since May 19th against the Lakers when he had 5, but the Heat are a different team, and I don’t know how to gauge this yet.