Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
In Game 4 of the 2022 NBA Finals, Stephen Curry and the Warriors executed exactly where they didn’t in Game 3 to tie up the series 2-2. Notably, Golden State dominated down low Friday night after being outrebounded and suffocated by the Celtics in Game 3. As a team, the Warriors recorded 16 offensive boards for a total of 55 rebounds for the night. For instance, Draymond Green struggled Wednesday night to finish the night with only four rebounds and three assists before fouling out in the fourth quarter.
In Game 4, Draymond dominated down low for eight rebounds, eight assists, and four steals without getting himself into foul trouble (only three PFs for Green in Game 4 after fouling out in Game 3).
Best Bets of the Night
Game: Boston Celtics at Golden State Warriors - 4 (-110)
Similar to Game 3, both teams shot the ball rather evenly. The Warriors finished the night with 44% shooting from the field, and 34.9% from downtown. The Celtics converted 40% of the field goal attempts and 39.5% of their shots from deep. One factor which helped Golden State keep up with the Celtics throughout the game was terrific rebounding. Andrew Wiggins stepped it up off the glass to produce a 17-point and 16-rebound double-double. What really caused the Celtics to lose in Game 3 was a complete offensive collapse in the fourth quarter.
With seven minutes remaining in the game, the Celtics had a 91-86 lead over Golden State. That means Boston was outscored 21-6 in the second half of the fourth quarter to lose Game 4 107-97. With Golden State back home, expect their offense to shoot better than they did on the road and secure a home victory in Game 5.
Bet: Golden State Warriors -4 (-110)
Throughout the 2022 NBA Playoffs, the Warriors shot 49.4% from the field and 40.7% from downtown in 11 games played at home. For their nine road games, the Warriors were less efficient on average averaging 47.2 FG% (2.2% less efficient from the field) and 34.9% (-5.8% less efficient from 3PT range). The numbers reveal clearly that for the 2022 NBA Playoffs, the Warriors have been more efficient scoring. With the prospect of taking a 3-2 lead over the Celtics, its likely that Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson have another big night in front of the home crowd.
Bet: Over (O/U) 212.5 Total Points (-110)
While only 204 points were scored in Game 4, expect Game 5 to be a much higher-scoring game. In addition to the Warriors shooting much better from the field, the team seems to have found some efficiency against the bigger Celtics down low. These two factors could push the Warriors to score 120+ points in Game 5. In turn, Jayson Tatum who scored 23 points (8-23 FG) will bounce back to have a 30+ point game. Both he and Steph are scoring big these NBA Finals.
While the defense was the main story of Games 3 and 4 at the TD Garden, scoring buckets will be the principal feature of Game 5 at the Chase Center. With him and Stephen Curry averaging more than 34 PPG through these finals, you can count on Game 5 in Golden State to be a high-scoring game.
NBA Player Props
Game: Boston Celtics at Golden State Warriors - 4 (-110)
Prop: Jayson Tatum, Over 26.5 Points
Jayson Tatum, like the rest of the Celtics, started hot but finished ice cold. If it wasn’t for the fourth quarter where Tatum shot the ball multiple times unsuccessfully. This negatively impacted his shooting numbers from Game 4 where he finished the night with 23 points (8-23 FG) converting only 34.9% of his shots taken. After a disappointing Friday night, Tatum will shoot more efficiently in Game 5. Since he still scored 23 points on an off-night, you can count on Tatum to score 30+ points in Game 5 even if the Warriors defeat the Celtics.
Prop: Andrew Wiggins, Over 6.5 Rebounds
One of the major adjustments made by the Warriors in Game 4 was boosting their presence off the glass. Andrew Wiggins recorded 16 of Golden State’s 55 rebounds Friday night.
Through the first four games of the NBA Finals, Wiggins has recorded a total of 34 rebounds. That means Wiggins is averaging 8.5 rebounds per game in the 2022 NBA Finals. Especially because the Warriors know how effective he was producing much-needed rebounds in Game 4, Wiggins will look to have a similar presence down-low in Game 5.
Boston Celtics, NBA Finals Game 3
In Game 3, both teams shot almost equally well from the field and from downtown. However, Boston took more shots from the field and dominated off the glass to take Game 3 116-100. Boston’s defensive energy was on full display Wednesday night as they outrebounded and drew countless fouls from the Warriors. Boston’s defense was the story of Game 3. Will Klay Thompson and Stephen Curry overwhelm the Celtics in Game 4?
Let’s take a look at some of tonight’s best bets for Game 4 of the 2022 NBA Finals.
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Best Bets of the Night
Game: Golden State Warriors at Boston Celtics Game 4 (BOS Leads 2-1)
In Game 3, both teams shot virtually as efficiently from the field. The Celtics converted 48.3% of their shots (43-89 FG) from the field and went 37.1% from downtown. Golden State finished the night with a 46.2 FG% (36-78 FG) as a team, converting 37.5% from beyond the arc. The main reason for the Celtics’ victory was fantastic defense. For instance, Robert Williams III who isn’t 100% healthy, played 26 minutes to produce 10 points, eight rebounds, and four blocks. The Celtics dominated the Warriors off the glass to record 47 rebounds as a team with 15 of them recorded on the offensive end. In contrast, the Warriors totaled 31 rebounds on the game and only had six offensive rebounds. In addition, the Warriors committed 23 personal fouls allowing the Celtics to go to the line 24 times (Celtics were 17-24 FT) and had 16 turnovers as a team. For the Warriors to bounce back in Game 4, they will need to be more aggressive down low and less sloppy on the floor.
Bet #1: Golden State Warriors, +4 (-110)
The Warriors shot the ball well in Game 3, but were simply overwhelmed by the Celtics defense and the energy at the TD Garden Wednesday night. Golden State recorded 39 combined turnovers (16) and personal fouls (23) which demonstrates how sloppy they were with the basketball. This gave Boston a possession advantage throughout the game, ultimately allowing the Celtics to take 11 more field goal attempts and finish the night with seven more made FGs than the Warriors. Offensive efficiency is not the issue for the Warriors. Rather, they will need to ramp it up on defense in Game 4 to make the game interesting. Draymond Green fouled out of the contest after being shut down all night. Green was held to just two points, four rebounds, three assists, and two turnovers in 35 minutes on the floor before getting a sixth personal foul in Game 3.
Bet #2: Over (O/U) 215 Total Points (-110)
Though the Warriors were held to 100 points of offense on Wednesday night, they shot the ball well. Golden State was limited as a team for FGAs as a result of Boston’s defense. In Game 4, Golden State will have an answer to put up more points on the board than they did in Game 3. In turn, the Celtics will keep things interesting. Expect this Game 4 to be a high-scoring contest. Both teams have been scoring big throughout these playoffs, and that doesn't seem to be changing right now during the Finals.
NBA Player Props
Game: Golden State Warriors at Boston Celtics Game 4 (BOS Leads 2-1)
Prop #1: Klay Thompson, Over 19.5 Points
Klay Thompson started the night shooting very well but cooled down towards the end. He went five for a whopping 13 attempts from downtown Wednesday night. He finished the night 7-of-17 from the field for 25 points. This comes after a terrible Game 2 performance where Klay went 4-of-19 from the field and only one-of-eight from beyond-the-arc. Tonight, Klay will shoot better tonight after an average Game 3 performance and bad Games 1 and 2.
Prop #2: Jaylen Brown, Over 2.5 Threes
Jaylen Brown has been knocking his shots from downtown as of late. In the last two games, he’s recorded at least three threes. He’s gone 7-of-17 (41.1%) from downtown through Games 2 and 3 combined. In the second of two home games at the TD Garden, it’s likely that Brown knocks down at least three buckets from beyond-the-arc tonight in Game 4.
Tonight, the 2022 NBA Finals head to the East Coast where the Warriors will be visiting the Celtics for Game 3. The Celtics took Game 1 on the road, thanks to fantastic fourth-quarter performance from Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum. In Game 2, the Warriors comfortably won to make the series even at one-a-piece. Golden State will have a tough battle ahead of them tonight. Let's take a look at some of tonight's best bets.
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Game: Golden State Warriors at Boston Celtics -3.5 (Series Tied 1-1)
Bet #1: Golden State Warriors +3.5 (-110)
After defeating the Warriors on the road in Game 1, Boston conceded Game 2 at the Chase Arena 88-107. The Celtics were overwhelmed by the Warriors’ defense in Game 2 that produced 15 steals to force 18 turnovers from Udoka’s men in green. The Warriors won the game and scored more than 107 points. Even though they converted a respectable 45.3% of their shots from the field, Golden State is capable of scoring more and doing so more efficiently from the field.
Expect the Warriors to score big tonight and actually improve on what was an already strong shooting night in Game 2. Still, that won’t be enough to outdo the Boston Celtics on the road. Another source of concern for the Warriors is that Andre Iguodala, Gary Payton II, and Otto Porter Jr are all listed as questionable heading into tonight. Each of them have served an important role especially for Golden State’s defense. The Celtics could see more openings on the floor if any of those guys are missing tonight.
Bet #2: Over (O/U) 213 Total Points (-110)
Though only 205 points were scored between both teams in Game 2, the Celtics slapped the Warriors 120-108 in Game 1 of the series for a total of 228 points scored that night. Stephen Curry is starting to really warm up from downtown. In Game 2, he went 5-of-12 from deep to finish the night with 29 points. Overall, he shot below his average, but his three-point shooting in Game 2 points to good things to come for the Warriors’ best players. Klay Thompson (4-19 FG) had a rough night only converting on four FGA for 11 points in 30 minutes. Still, Klay Thompson is shooting superbly throughout these playoffs. This is a remarkable achievement for a guy who hasn't since 2019 before late this season.
Wild stat: Klay Thompson’s 3-PT shooting in the 2022 playoffs 🎯
42% when he doesn’t dribble
30% when he dribbles#NBAFinals #Warriors #DubNation #KlayThompson pic.twitter.com/MrPoo0tjpo
— Fadeaway World (@FadeawayWorld) June 8, 2022
Likewise, the Celtics will certainly shoot better than the 37.5% they shot for as a team in Game 2 for 88 points of total scoring. Jayson Tatum (8-19 FG) and Jaylen Brown (5-17 FG) combined for 13-of-36 shooting from the field on Sunday, which simply won’t be enough against Stephen Curry and the Warriors.
2022 NBA Finals: Boston Celtics at Golden State Warriors Game 1 Betting Lines, Odds & Predictions
Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics
Klay Thompson (57) and Stephen Curry (60) have combined for 117 three-pointers this postseason. They are playing at the level they did between 2015-2018. They face the roaring Boston Celtics who stunned the Milwaukee Bucks and then the Miami Heat in their last two series. Like Klay and Steph, it is Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum who headline the Celtics’ offense. Tonight, the first game of the 2022 NBA Finals between the Golden State Warriors and Boston Celtics is set to tip-off at 9:00 PM EST. at the Chase Center.
Many pundits expect the Warriors to win this series somewhat easily due to their immense championship experience. Members of Golden State have played in a combined 123 NBA Finals games while not one member of the Boston Celtics has ever suited up in the world’s biggest state. However, one Celtic was at least behind the scenes during the 2007 NBA Finals. Tatum’s godfather is former NBA All-Star Larry Hughes. When the Cavaliers made the NBA Finals in 2007, Hughes let Tatum sit with the team and enjoy the facilities before and after Game 3 and Game 4. Tatum’s father played ball with Hughes from an early age and the youngster was introduced to the NBA stage by his godfather when he was just a kid. So although Golden State has a massive advantage in the experience category, something tells me that Tatum is going to lead by example and keep his team competitive in this life-changing series.
All that said, the Warriors could very well be at full strength for the first time in a while. Gary Payton II, Andre Iguodola, and Otto Porter all practiced yesterday and are reportedly hopeful to suit up for tonight’s Game 1 in California.
Now, let’s take a look at some of the best bets to consider for Game 1 of the NBA Finals.
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Best Bets of the Night
Game: Boston Celtics at Golden State Warriors -3.5
Golden State comfortably secured their path to the NBA Finals after defeating the Dallas Mavericks in five games during the Western Conference Finals. The Warriors truly stepped up their game in that series in comparison to their series against the Memphis Grizzlies. Specifically, we are seeing much better shooting across the board from Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson who have now combined to score nearly 120 three-pointers this postseason. The Warriors have scored at least 109 points in their last seven contests and have set the bar high for how much scoring needs to be done by the other team to keep things interesting.
Still, the Boston Celtics have had a much harder road to climb than the Warriors throughout these playoffs. While they swept the Brooklyn Nets in the first round, they had to go to a Game 7 against the Bucks and avoided two elimination games (Games 6 & 7) to earn their spot in the Eastern Conference Finals against the Miami Heat. That series also went to seven games, but Boston was victorious. The Celtics are playing with unquantifiable grit and a determination to win. While this series will go at least six games in my opinion, the Celtics will concede Game 1 on the road by at least four points.
This matchup essentially comes down to whether you think Golden State’s offense or Boston’s defense will prevail. Although the Celtics have Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart, a few solid defensive wings in Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, and a massive shot-blocking presence in Robert Williams III, the Warriors’ offense is simply too difficult to contain. It’s incredibly difficult to contain Curry and Thompson while also playing tight defense on Andrew Wiggins, Jordan Poole, and Draymond Green. The Warriors can score in a variety of ways and aren’t too shabby on the defensive end themselves.
The Pick: Golden State Warriors -3.5 (-110)
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Total: Over or Under 213.5 Points
The Warriors averaged 121.9 points per 100 possessions in the first round of the playoffs, and 120.3 points per 100 possessions in the Western Conference Finals. Largely due to Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, Golden State’s offense has been the most efficient throughout these playoffs. The fact that they averaged at least 120 points per 100 possessions in two of their three playoff series shows just how many points they are capable of dropping numerically. To see it for yourself is a different thing. Consider the 142 points the Warriors scored in Game 5 of the second round against the Grizzlies or the 126 points they recorded in Game 2 against the Mavericks.
The Warriors set an offensive pace, especially during their home games, that must be matched. Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum played terrifically in the Eastern Conference Finals, improving on their first two playoff series. If the Warriors score 115 points tonight, expect the Celtics to keep it within 10. This should be a high-scoring series altogether despite each team’s excellent defensive prowess. Simply put, both these offenses are too good to produce fewer than 213 points. Furthermore, both teams will feed off each other’s energy to score more.
The Pick: Over 213.5 Total Points (-110)
Best Game 1 NBA Player Props
Robert Williams III to record a double-double (+1000)
While the odds for this prop say it all, Williams is very capable of recording double-doubles. This season, he averaged 10 points and 9.6 rebounds per game. Against the Heat, Williams had a tough time on the glass in Game 6 and Game 7. However, he hauled in 10 rebounds in Game 5 and nine rebounds in Game 4 after returning from a torn meniscus earlier in the Spring. Against the Warriors, he has the upside over a big like Kevon Looney. In contrast to Bam Adebayo who disrupted his performance, Williams will have a chance to produce more efficiently against the Warriors than against the Heat. While this pick isn't a lock, why not throw a couple of bucks on here and see if Williams really gets big in the paint. Quite frankly, I'm surprised this prop has such long odds. Williams is definitely capable of a 10-point and 10-rebound night so long as he stays out of foul trouble.
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