The Boston Celtics have taken control of the NBA Finals, owning a 2-1 lead in the series with as many games left at the T.D. Garden as there is at the Chase Center in San Francisco. While the Golden State Warriors have been in this position before–2015 to be exact when the Cleveland Cavaliers dominated the Dubs with two centers (Timofey Mozgov, Tristan Thompson), Iman Shumpert, and Matthew Dellavedova alongside LeBron James somehow–but this time around feels different.
Golden State’s core is seven years older, and there is no ‘death lineup’ that can contain Al Horford backing down his defender on the block or Robert Williams catching and finishing lobs from Cs drivers.
The only hope the Warriors have is Steph Curry, who has scored 94 points through the NBA Finals’ first three games. The next two highest scorers (Klay Thompson and Jordan Poole) have scored 100 points combined during that same stretch.
Unfortunately for the Dubs, though he will be in lineup, Curry will be a bit banged up:
BREAKING: Stephen Curry is not expected to need an MRI and will be in practice today with the expectation he’ll play Friday at TD Garden, a league source confirmed.https://t.co/iHbiCGr6v2
— Sporting Green (@SportingGreenSF) June 9, 2022
Will that mean a heroic performance is less likely from Curry? Or will the Cs be the next victims of gritty NBA Finals greatness from one of the all-time legends?
Hardwood Houdini has the odds and lays out a prediction for Game 4 (live on ABC at 9 P.M. EST) at the T.D. Garden Friday night:
Boston Celtics vs. Golden State Warriors odds, spread, over/under
According to WynnBet, the Celtics are a 4-point favorite against the Warriors at home. Golden State is an underdog on the road at +140, with the Cs moneyline set at -170. The over/under for the game has been placed at 214.5 points.
Celtics vs. Warriors prediction
The Houdini badly wants to see a repeat of Game 3 where the Cs won the turnover battle, doubled the Warriors’ points in the paint, and had six less fouls.
Given the C’s athletic advantage, size advantage, and home-court advantage, we think we will see it. Lay the four.