The 2022 NBA Finals continue on Sunday evening with a high-profile matchup at Chase Center. The Golden State Warriors host the Boston Celtics for Game 2, with Boston leading 1-0 in the series. The Celtics exploded in the fourth quarter of Game 1, taking home-court advantage in the process. The Warriors aim to hold serve at home in Game 2 as they search for a series-evening victory.
Tipoff is at 8 p.m. ET in San Francisco. Caesars Sportsbook lists Golden State as the four-point home favorite, while the over-under, or total number of points Vegas thinks will be scored, is 215.5 in the latest Warriors vs. Celtics odds. Before making any Celtics vs. Warriors picks, be sure to see the NBA Finals 2022 predictions and betting advice from SportsLine’s proven computer model.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past three-plus seasons. The model enters the 2022 NBA Finals on a stunning 88-59 roll on all top-rated NBA picks, returning over $2,200. Anyone following it has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has locked in its Warriors vs. Celtics picks and NBA playoff predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see its picks. Here are several NBA odds and betting trends for Celtics vs. Warriors:
- Warriors vs. Celtics spread: Warriors -4
- Warriors vs. Celtics over-under: 215.5
- Warriors vs. Celtics money line: Warriors -170, Celtics +145
- Warriors vs. Celtics tickets: See tickets at StubHub
- GSW: The Celtics are 13-6 against the spread in playoff games
- BOS: The Warriors are 9-8 against the spread in playoff games
Featured Game | Golden State Warriors vs. Boston Celtics
Why the Celtics can cover
Boston is known for its tremendous defense, but the Celtics won Game 1 on the offensive end. The Celtics scored 1.29 points per possession in the series opener, catching fire with 40 points in the fourth quarter. Boston shot 51 percent from the floor and 21-41 from 3-point range on Thursday, with the Celtics assisting on 76.7 percent of field goals. Boston generated 33 assists in the game, and the Celtics grabbed 30 percent of missed shots on the offensive glass. Al Horford was tremendous, scoring 26 points and hitting six 3-pointers in his first NBA Finals game, and Boston was able to win despite a poor shooting night from superstar Jayson Tatum.
In the playoffs overall, Boston is shooting 37 percent from 3-point range and producing a 66.1 percent assist rate, and the Celtics are also taking advantage of the free throw line. Boston is shooting 81.0 percent on 23.8 free throw attempts per game in the playoffs, and the Celtics remain stout on defense, giving up fewer than 1.06 points per possession across the extended postseason run.
Why the Warriors can cover
The Warriors scuffled in the fourth quarter of Game 1, but there is plenty to be encouraged by for Golden State. The Warriors converted 19 3-pointers in the series opener, putting pressure on the Celtics as a result, and Golden State also dominated the offensive glass. The Warriors secured more than 35 percent of missed shots in the game, generating 26 second-chance points. In zooming out, Golden State has been the best offensive team in the 2022 postseason, scoring 1.16 points per possession. The Warriors also lead the way with a 66.6 percent assist rate and 28.1 assists per game.
Golden State is also an elite shooting team, including 49 percent from the floor and 38.2 percent from 3-point range in the playoffs. With the projection of an elite offensive rebounding clip in the series and players like Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson launching from 3-point range, the Warriors should be in a strong position. Finally, Golden State has only one home loss in the postseason, and Chase Center is a friendly home environment for the Warriors.
How to make Celtics vs. Warriors picks
SportsLine’s model is leaning under on the point total, projecting the teams to combine for 213 points. The model also says one side of the spread hits in almost 60 percent of simulations. You can only get that NBA Finals pick at SportsLine.
So who wins Warriors vs. Celtics? And which side of the spread hits in almost 60 percent of simulations? Visit SportsLine now to find out which side of the spread you need to jump on, all from the model that has crushed its NBA picks, and find out.