Despite a 14-point lead late in the third quarter at home, the Golden State Warriors were outscored 40-16 in the final period to lose Game 1 of the 2022 NBA Finals on Thursday. Now they’ll be looking to bounce back in Game 2 on Sunday as the Celtics would love to take control of the series with another comeback win at Boston. The 2022 NBA Playoffs have been full of impressive responses so far, but can Golden State make the necessary adjustments after Boston looked so dominant defensively late in the game?
Game 2 kicks off at 8 p.m. ET at Chase Center in downtown San Francisco and Thursday’s loss was Golden State’s first in the playoffs at home. However, the bookmakers are expecting the rubber band effect in this game as Golden State is listed as the 4.5 point favorite in Caesars Sportsbook’s latest Warriors vs Celtics odds. The over-under is listed at 215 and both lines are slight increases from Game 1. Before making Celtics vs Warriors picks, you need to see what SportsLine expert Zack Cimini has to say.
A Las Vegas handicapper who’s never afraid to go against conventional wisdom, Cimini excels in multiple sports. Over the past 33 NBA picks, Cimini is 22-11, earning players nearly $800-$100. He’s also on an incredible 38-16-1 run with his last 55 ATS picks involving the Celtics, netting players nearly $1,800-$100.
Now, Cimini has set his sights on the Celtics against the Warriors, and has just locked down his picks and NBA playoff predictions. You can head over to SportsLine now to see its picks. Here are several NBA odds and betting lines for Warriors vs. Celtics:
- Celtics vs. Warriors spread: Golden State -4.5
- Celtics vs. Warriors over-under: 215 points
- Silver line Celtics vs. Warriors: Boston +170, Golden State -200
- Celtics vs Warriors Tickets: View Tickets on StubHub
- BOS: Celtics are 9-1-1 ATS in their last 11 games as a road underdog
- GS: Warriors are 5-1 ATS in last six games after back-to-back loss
Featured game | Golden State Warriors vs. Boston Celtics
Why the Celtics can cover
After giving Stephen Curry and the rest of the Golden State shooters too much space early in Game 1, Boston adjusted defensively and found the saves it needed late to pull off an impressive comeback. The Warriors went just 7 of 17 from the field and 2 of 8 from the 3-point line while turning the ball over four times in the final period, and that will be the pattern Ime Udoka’s side will look for to reproduce. .
Meanwhile, the Celtics shot a staggering 9-for-12 from the 3-point line in the final frame and got huge role-player contributions all night to make up for Jayson Tatum having a night. of 3 for 17. Al Horford had 26 points and went 6 for 8 from the 3-point line while Derrick White had 21 points off the bench and went 5 for 8 from downtown. If either of those two can stay hot and Tatum can bounce back like he’s done all playoffs, the Celtics have a solid chance of leaving San Francisco with a 2-0 series lead.
Why the Warriors can cover
Curry, a two-time MVP, is an all-around sniper because he has deep reach and can catch fire quickly. The eight-time All-Star has the arsenal to set fire to anyone lined up against him and it was on full display in Game 1. Curry exploded for 21 points and shot 6 for 7 on three in the first quarter. He ended up finishing the game with 34 points, five rebounds, and five assists.
Guard Klay Thompson is another knocked down shooter on the perimeter. Thompson has played in many big games and knows what that pressure feels like. The five-time All-Star can warm up in a heartbeat, and Golden State will need that kind of performance in Game 2. Thompson has an effortless shot with good defensive instincts. He drove in 15 runs and shot 3-for-7 from deep in Game 1.
How to make choices between Warriors and Celtics
For Game 2 of the 2022 NBA Finals, Cimini looks at point totals, but he also says a critical X-factor makes one side of the spread a must. He’s just sharing what it is, and which side of the Warriors vs. Celtics extended at fullback, to SportsLine.
So who wins the Celtics against the Warriors? And which side of the spread is a must-have? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Warriors vs Celtics spread you should jump to, all from the expert who crushed his NBA picks, and find out.