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Despite leading by 14 points at home late in the third quarter, the Golden State Warriors were outplayed 40-16 in the closing stages and lost Game 1 of the 2022 NBA Finals on Thursday. Now they’ll be looking to get into game Sunday 2 to recover while the Celtics would love to take control of the series with another win returning to Boston. The 2022 NBA Playoffs have been filled with impressive reactions so far, but can Golden State make the necessary adjustments after Boston looked so defensively dominant late in the game?
Game 2 kicks off at 8 p.m. ET at the Chase Center in downtown San Francisco, and Thursday’s loss was the first of the postseason for Golden State at home. However, bookies are anticipating the rubber band effect in this game as Golden State is listed as a 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 you hit 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 defy conventional wisdom, Cimini excels at multiple sports. In the last 33 NBA picks, Cimini is 22-11 and has netted players nearly $800 to $100. He’s also on an amazing 38-16-1 run with his last 55 against-the-spread picks involving the Celtics, returning players nearly $1,800 to $100.
Now Cimini has his sights set on Celtics vs. Warriors and has just laid out his picks and NBA playoff predictions. You can now go to SportsLine to see his selection. Here are several NBA odds and betting lines for Warriors vs. Celtics:
- Distribution of Celtics vs. Warriors: Golden State -4.5
- Celtics vs. Warriors Over-Under: 215 points
- Celtics vs. Warriors moneyline: Boston +170, Golden State -200
- Celtics vs Warriors Tickets: See Tickets at StubHub
- BOS: Celtics are 9-1-1 ATS in their last 11 games as underdogs
- GS: Warriors are 5-1 ATS in their last six games after a straight loss
Featured Game | Golden State Warriors vs. Boston Celtics
Why the Celtics can mark
After giving Stephen Curry and the other Golden State shooters too much leeway early in Game 1, Boston adjusted defensively and found the stops it needed late to complete 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 four times during the last period, and that will be the model that Ime Udoka’s team will emulate.
Meanwhile, the Celtics blasted a stunning 9-for-12 from the 3-point line in the final frame and received tremendous input from role players throughout the night to offset the fact that Jayson Tatum had a 3-for-17 night would have. 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 can stay hot and Tatum can recover like he’s done all postseason, the Celtics have a solid chance to leave San Francisco with a 2-0 lead.
Why the Warriors can cover
Two-time MVP Curry is an elite all-round sniper due to his long range and ability to catch fire while in a hurry. The eight-time All-Star has the arsenal to torch anyone who faces him and that was on full display in Game 1. Curry exploded for 21 points, shooting 6-for-7 from three in the first quarter. In the end, he finished the matchup with 34 points, five rebounds and five assists.
Guard Klay Thompson is another perimeter knockdown shooter. Thompson has played in many big games and knows what that pressure feels like. The five-time All-Star can heat up in a jiffy, and Golden State will need that kind of performance in Game 2. Thompson has an effortless shot with good defensive instincts. He scored 15 points and shot 3-on-7 from deep in Game 1.
How to make Warriors vs Celtics picks
For Game 2 of the 2022 NBA Finals, Cimini hunches over totals, but also says a critical X-factor makes one side of the range a must. He only shares at SportsLine what it is and which side of the Warriors vs. Celtics is splayed backwards.
So who wins Celtics vs. Warriors? And which side of the spread is a must-back? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Warriors vs. Celtics series you need to jump to, all from the pundit who wrecked his NBA picks and find out.
