Media by Associated Press – Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum drives to the basket against the Golden State Warriors during the first half of Game 2 of basketball’s NBA Finals in San Francisco, Sunday, June 5, 2022. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
The championship series has had inverse results to start so far. Now the tide turns as the Golden State Warriors visit the Boston Celtics at the TD Garden at 9 p.m. ET on Wednesday night.
Game 1 featured a patented Warriors big third quarter, but the Celtics did not fold, facing a 12-point deficit. They became the second team to erase a deficit that large, entering the fourth quarter of a NBA Finals game, and a 17-0 run flipped the outcome to steal home court in a 120-108 victory. It was a 40-12 fourth quarter for Boston.
The other time was this postseason when the Grizzlies came back against Minnesota.
Golden State answered in usual fashion en route to a 107-88 victory to even the series. Another big third quarter in which they outscored the Celtics 35-14 was the catalyst to halve the series before a long flight.
Sportsbooks pretty consistently have the Celtics as 3.5-point favorites in Game 3 as the series returns to the East coast. There is some wiggle room on the over/under, with most either at 212 or 212.5. Each team has covered the spread once in the series, and both the over and under have hit once.
Golden State Warriors Betting Preview
It seemed as though the Warriors righted their wrongs from Game 1, and they have a blueprint for success when they come out of the locker room to start the second half. Whatever props are out there for the Warriors’ third quarter and second half have to be an attractive option as they’re outsourcing the Celtics 73-38 through two games.
Golden State had the third-best defense in the league during the regular season, allowing 105.5 points per game. They were second in opposing field goal percentage and third in opposing 3-point percentage.
Jordan Poole is emerging as a third splash brother, showcasing his range in the win with 17 points. If that becomes the norm in the series, the Warriors will be a difficult out to have a third player step up when Stephen Curry or Klay Thompson need to come out.
Boston Celtics Betting Preview
The Celtics were the best team defensively in the regular season, and that was a key factor in Game 1’s comeback. Jayson Tatum struggled in that game, though he had 13 assists and was much better in Game 2, but the result flipped because the complementary players — Marcus Smart, Al Horford, and Derrick White — all took a step back offensively.
That is the trio who was efficient in the win, with Horford shooting 9 for 12, Smart 7 for 11, and White 6 for 11. Smart, in particular, has to be better to take some of the pressure off of Tatum and Jaylen Brown.
Hanging their hats on the defensive end is key. They were the top team in the NBA at opposing points per game, opposing field goal percentage, and opposing 3-point percentage. Of course, that is difficult against the perimeter game of the Warriors, but it’s a challenge they’ve been up for this season.
Warriors/Celtics Betting Prediction
Including the two regular-season games, the Celtics lead the season series 2-1-1 against the spread. The over/under is split 2-2. Bettors seem to think the Celtics will win, with 53% taking the moneyline and 61% are on the over.
If there is any hesitation with the Warriors, it is that they are 25-23 on the road compared to 40-11 at home, including the postseason, whereas the Celtics are more level with their home/road splits.
Energized by a home crowd, we’ll take the Celtics -3.5.
For more NBA betting picks and previews, check out our picks page.