The Boston Celtics head to Chase Center in San Francisco on Thursday to take on the Golden State Warriors in NBA Finals Game 1. The Celtics required 7 games to get by the Miami Heat. Will Boston be too tired to hang with Steph Curry and the Warriors? Or will the Warriors take it to the Celtics on their floor? Check out Game 1 predictions for the spread, the moneyline, and the total so you can get ready to bet against their NBA Playoffs Odds.
SU, ATS and Total Score Prediction for NBA Finals Game 1
NBA Finals Game 1: Boston Celtics at Golden State Warriors
- When: Thursday, June 2 at 9:00 pm ET
- Where: Chase Center, San Francisco, CA
- TV/Streaming: ABC
Why bet on Boston versus Golden State?
Boston’s defense ranks first in points allowed, field goal percentage allowed, and three-point field goal percentage allowed. Not only that, but Marcus Smart won the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year award. So although Game 1 happens on the road, we shouldn’t expect Boston to play anything less than excellent defense.
Boston Celtics Offensive Averages
- Points/G: 111.8
- FG %: 46.6
- 3PT %: 35.6
- FT %: 81.6
- Rebounds/G: 46.1
Boston Celtics Defensive Averages
- Points/G: 104.5
- FG %: 43.5
- 3PT %: 33.9
- FT %: 78.3
- Rebounds/G: 43.7
Why bet on Golden State versus Boston?
The Warriors beat the Dallas Mavericks by playing excellent defense. Golden State smothered Luka Doncic and prevented arguably the best player in the league from scoring, rebounding, or dishing assists. Golden State’s defense leads to easy buckets on the other end of the court. Also, the Warriors got a chance to rest because they beat Doncic and the Mavs in 5 while Boston had play a full 7-game series versus the Heat.
Golden State Warriors Offensive Averages
- Points/G: 111.0
- FG %: 46.9
- 3PT %: 36.4
- FT %: 76.9
- Rebounds/G: 45.5
Golden State Warriors Defensive Averages
- Points/G: 105.5
- FG %: 43.8
- 3PT %: 33.9
- FT %: 75.9
- Rebounds/G: 42.6
Final NBA Finals Game 1 Analysis: Warriors vs Celtics
Golden State has a lot of advantages in this game. But to make it to the NBA Finals, the Celtics played and beat better teams than Golden State faced.
Boston had to get past Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks. Then the Celtics had to beat Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat. Boston is used to finding a way to shut down an opponent’s best player.
If the Celtics can’t shut down their opponent’s best player, they shut down everyone around that opponent like what they did to every player except Jimmy Butler in Game 7.
Boston also has more weapons than many realize. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are the top scorers. But Marcus Smart, Al Horford, Robert Williams III, and a couple of bench players, Derrick White and Grant Williams, can score.
The real reason to like the Celtics, though, is that Boston has gone 5-2 straight up in their last 7 road games. The Celtics are poised to win Game 1. They learned in every contest against the Heat, have tightened their defense, and can catch the Warriors napping in this one.
NBA Finals SU Pick: Boston Celtics +145
NBA Finals ATS Pick: Boston Celtics +3 ½
NBA Finals Over/Under Pick: Over 211
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