Media by Associated Press – CORRECTS TO GAME 2 INSTEAD OF GAME 1 – Golden State Warriors guard Jordan Poole (3) shoots against Boston Celtics guard Derrick White during the second half of Game 2 of basketball’s NBA Finals in San Francisco, Sunday, June 5, 2022. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
The Boston Celtics hope to take a commanding 3-1 series lead when they host the Golden State Warriors in Game 4 of the NBA Finals at 9 p.m. ET on Friday. Boston has had Golden State’s number, winning eight of the last ten games.
In the series particularly, the Celtics won Game 1 120-108 with a dominant 17-0 run late in the fourth quarter. Derrick White, Grant Williams, and Al Horford stepped up as Jayson Tatum shot 3 for 17.
The Warriors had an answer in Game 2, winning 107-88. Their future looks bright, and Jordan Poole scored 17 points while making five 3-pointers in that game to aid Stephen Curry’s 29. They’ll need Poole and Andrew Wiggins to have strong offensive games in an effort to even the series again.
Last time out, the Celtics showed why they are the best defensive team in the league in a 116-100 win. Marcus Smart scored 24 points in support of Tatum’s 26 and Jaylen Brown’s 27 points.
Boston is a four-point favorite Friday with an over/under of 214 points. The Celtics’ moneyline is -170 while the underdogs are +140.
Golden State Warriors Betting Preview: 3 > 2
The Warriors dynasty of the 2010s was known for their spacing and pace. Last time out, Curry and Klay Thompson scored 56 points, with Wiggins adding 18 and Poole 10. They shot 15 for 40 from 3-point range as a team, which is solid.
But in order for three to be better than two, their defense has to step up, they must limit turnovers, and they have to be more physical when securing rebounds. Golden State was lackluster in all of those areas during Game 3, and it allowed the Celtics to run away with it.
Expect Golden State to come out more focused on that end of the court, and it could allow them to be more focused on the offensive end in turn.
Boston Celtics Betting Preview: Keep being physical
The Celtics were aggressive on the defensive end, and their physicality showed. The length of Brown and Tatum helps; Smart is the Defensive Player of the Year, and they seem at home with Horford leading from the paint area.
Boston ranked No. 1 in the following defensive categories this season: points allowed per game (104.5), opposing field goal percentage (43.4%), and opposing 3-point percentage (33.9%). While the Warriors have found ways to score, generally, the little things — boxing out, tight pressure, etc. — have led to securing extra possessions.
Offensively they’ve done a great job of having supporting players step up to knock down shots. Whether it is Williams or White off the bench, Smart or even Horford alongside Tatum and Brown in the starting lineup. That production needs to continue as life will continue to be difficult for their stars.
Warriors/Celtics Betting Prediction
The last game showed how difficult it is for the Warriors to beat Boston.
Curry and Thompson had good games, with Wiggins and Poole combining for 27 points, but it still wasn’t enough. Green was ineffective, fouling out. With James Wiseman out for the season, he seemingly would go a long way in aiding their efforts.
We’ll pick the Celtics to win but the Warriors to cover +3.
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