The NBA is in the championship window and this has been a season that has brought on a number of exhilarating battles. No less can be expected from these Finals. In Game 1 of the Finals, the Golden State Warriors will host the Boston Celtics. The Warriors come into this series after defeating the Boston Celtics 4:1 meanwhile the Boston Celtics reached this round after beating the Heat in seven games. So, who will reign supreme in first game? One thing is for sure, this can be a series to remember.
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Best bets on Warriors vs Celtics
Handicap: Bookmakers from 22bet give the Warriors the edge to win Game 1, attributing the odds of 1.57 in their favor. It means that the Celtics have been given the odds of 2.4, which means they are given a decent chance. The Warriors will be playing on their home floor all their nine Playoff games here. Will the Celtics break that streak? I doubt, I believe the Warriors will win by a difference of 6-11 points. (Handicap 1 -6.5 for 2.29)
Player Props: Bookmakers at bet365 predict odds of 1.90 for Jordan Poole going Over 15.5 Points (At least 16 Points). One pattern has been common for Jordan in the first half of the series, he has scored 20+ during all the first two games of the last three series whereas he has also scored 25+ in most of the games. He slows down late in the series but a long rest may mean that he is up for another big night so I will go “Over” here. (Player Props: Player Points: Jordan Poole Over 15.5 for 1.90)
Total: Bookmakers at 1xbet give the Total of Under/ Over 212.5 has the odds of 1.97. The Warriors-based games, especially at home, usually go over that mark whereas the Celtics elite defense can make for a more low-scoirng affair. I reckon in this game, the Warriors’ offense will click on a superb rate whereas the Celtics will be ready for a big offensive night so I take “over” here. (Total Over 212.5 for 1.97)
Where to Watch Warriors vs Celtics
This match is available on the NBA League Pass.
Warriors: Unbeatable at home
In the Playoffs, the Warriors' are yet to be beaten on their home floor and playing four out of seven games in the series at home(if the series goes to seven games), certainly provides them a hefty advantage to kickstart proceedings. This is also keeping in mind that the Warriors were able to fend off elite defenses like the Mavs one at home and continuously breached the 110+ points mark. Although I doubt that they will be allowed to breach that mark twice, but their defense itself becomes a championship-level one at home.
They can pin down the Celtics if Andrew Wiggins and Draymond Green batter Jayson Tatum, containing him from multiple areas. However, the biggest problem that the Warriors present is that deep guard rotation, Curry has been phenomenal, Thompson knows when to switch on, Poole starts strong, and they are well-supported by Wiggins, who helps the Warriors avoid cold stretches. Then we have Green who can influence the game on both ends through his elite defense and superb screens and playmaking. The Warriors are surely looking like favorites.
Celtics: They have been great away from home
There is no doubt that the Celtics have been the best squad while playing away from home during the Playoffs. It is unbelievable that a team that has lost four times on their home floor in the last two series has made it this far. But consider this, the Celtics have won seven of their nine games in the Playoffs while playing on the road. And in this series, they are set to start away from home in the first two games again which means that the Warriors can’t take them lightly at any point. The last two series for the Celts have gone to seven games, which means they are battle-hardened but it also means that they have not been able to dominate the elite teams.
One of the major problems for the Celtics has been turnovers and when Jayson Tatum is missing a ton of shots, he tends to force the issue. But yes, their defense consists of both switch-heavy players from the PG to C position but they are all capable individual defenders. The Celtics have been the most elite defensive team this season but they will have their work cut-out against the unparalleled long-range prowess of the Warriors. They will be up for a big challenge here.
Warriors vs Celtics: possible lineups
- Celtics most likely starting five: PG: Marcus Smart | SG: Jaylen Brown | SF: Jayson Tatum | C: Al Horford | C: Robert Williams;
- Key Bench Player: Derrick White, Grant Williams;
- Warriors most likely starting five: PG: Stephen Curry | SG: Klay Thompson | SF: Andrew Wiggins | PF: Draymond Green | C: Kevon Looney;
- Key Bench Players: Jordan Poole, Otto Porter Jr, Gary Payton II.
