Without question, the NBA Finals’ series-opener was the best-case scenario for the Boston Celtics. To prove capable of stealing the first game in enemy territory against a Golden State Warriors squad that had a 123-0 NBA Finals game experience advantage should undoubtedly provide this team the confidence needed to get the job done against a Bay Area core that has won three championships together.
The Cs fired quite the opening salvo and proved they can exploit the Dubs in ways the Dallas Mavericks didn’t have the personnel to. Robert Williams as a lob threat is near impossible to defend by the likes of Kevon Looney and Draymond Green, and the Warriors’ backcourt has shown to struggle to keep Boston drivers in front of them.
Can this dominance continue? Surely Golden State will not want to travel to the T.D. Garden down two games to none.
Hardwood Houdini has the odds and lays out a prediction for Game 2 (live on ABC at 8 P.M. EST) at the Chase Center:
Boston Celtics vs. Golden State Warriors odds, spread, over/under
According to WynnBet, the Celtics are a 4.5-point underdog against the Warriors on the road. Golden State is a favorite at home at -185, with the Cs moneyline set at +152. The over/under for the game has been placed at 215.5 points.
Celtics vs. Warriors prediction
The NBA Finals Game 1’s fourth quarter was the most incredible display of comeback basketball the 2022 NBA postseason has seen yet given the circumstances. It was the culmination of the excitement that started in 2018 when Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown looked like future stars that could break into the playoffs’ final round and came within 24 minutes of doin so in Game 7 before the Cleveland Cavaliers mounted a ‘king’ inspired comeback.
With LeBron James out of the Eastern Conference, that vision is now a reality.
Boston came back on the strength of timely buckets from Derrick White and Al Horford in the fourth quarter, who scorched nets from beyond the arc. While Tatum’s 12-point, 3/17 night is one that cannot repeat–since Draymond Green won’t turn in another 2/12 shooting performance himself, nor will Jordan Poole pour in a measly seven points on 2/7 shooting–it’s impeccable that they survived it.
Game 2 is not guaranteed, but the Cs showed enough to allow the Dubs to lay four points and feel comfortable about it.