NBA 2022 Finals, Game 1: Warriors vs Celtics prediction and betting tips (June 2)

The 2022 NBA Finals between the Warriors who are making their return to the finals and the Celtics in their first appearance in 12 years kick-off as the Celtics head to the Chase Center for Game 1.
Jayson Tatum (Celtics) averages 27.0ppg in the playoffs

Jayson Tatum (Celtics) averages 27.0ppg in the playoffs

by   Olaniyi Ifabiyi

The Warriors just ended their two years’ absence from the finals while the Celtics finally got their chance at the championship after losing multiple Eastern Conference Finals. The Warriors who will now be making their 6th finals appearance in eight years had the experience to forget in 2019 when they lost to the Raptors while the Celtics also lost their last finals appearance to the Lakers in 2010.

The match starts at 9:00 p.m. ET on Thursday, 2 June 2022. The game time by GMT is 1:00 a.m. on Friday, June 3. The match venue is Chase Center, San Francisco, CA.

Betting tips and match predictions for the Golden State Warriors vs Boston Celtics (June 2) game are available in this article. The latest betting odds, key stats, team news, and projected starting lineups are previewed below.

Golden State Warriors vs Boston Celtics latest odds on betting sites

The Warriors money line odds are priced at 1.60 (-167 American; 3/5 Fractional), while the Celtics money line odds are priced at 2.45 (+145; 29/20). This equals approximate probabilities of 60% against 40% respectively.

Over/Under:

  • Over 212.5 points — 1.90 (-111; 9/10)
  • Under 212.5 points — 1.90 (-111; 9/10)

Spread:

  • Golden State Warriors -3.5: 1.90 (-111; 9/10)
  • Boston Celtics +3.5: 1.90 (-111; 9/10)

Golden State Warriors vs Boston Celtics match preview and statistics

The Warriors have had quite a run in this playoffs. In the first round, they defeated the helpless league MVP-led Denver Nuggets in five games while in the second round, they faced a young Memphis Grizzlies team led by Ja Morant and the Warriors closed it in 6 games. In the Western Conference finals, the Warriors played the Dallas Mavericks and they won the series in five games to book their spot in the NBA finals.

In Game 5 of the Mavericks series, Klay Thompson took over and led the Warriors with 32 points and 3 assists while Andrew Wiggins followed with 18 points and 10 rebounds.

Stephen Curry added 15 points while Draymond Green tallied 17 points and 9 assists.

Team statistics: 45/88 (51.1%) field goals, 14/36 (38.9%) 3 pointers, 16/16 (100.0%) free throws, 36 assists, 51 total rebounds, 3 blocks, 6 steals, 10 turnovers, 20 fouls.

Golden State Warriors team news: James Wiseman is ruled out for the match while Andre Iguodala, Gary Payton II and Otto Porter Jr are questionable for the game.

The Celtics have gone the hard way in their playoff run. The Celtics who swept the Brooklyn Nets in the first round proceeded to play the reigning NBA Champions the Milwaukee Bucks in the second round which ended with the Celtics winning in Game 7. In the Eastern Conference finals, the Celtics faced the Miami Heat and won again in a 7-Games series to clinch a spot in the NBA finals.

In Game 7 against the Heat, Jayson Tatum led the team with 26 points and 10 boards which he followed with 2 blocks while Jaylen Brown and Marcus Smart both dropped 24 points apiece.

Grant Williams scored 11 points and got 6 boards from the bench while Derrick White dropped 8 points.

Team statistics: 35/85 (41.2%) field goals, 11/32 (34.4%) 3 pointers, 19/24 (79.2%) free throws, 22 assists, 51 total rebounds, 4 steals, 6 blocks, 13 turnovers, 26 fouls.

Boston Celtics team news: Sam Hauser is ruled out for the match while Robert Williams III and Marcus Smart are on a day to day evaluation.

Golden State Warriors vs Boston Celtics H2H

The last time the Warriors played the Celtics in the NBA finals, was in the 1963/1964 season. The Celtics were victorious in the finals and they closed out the series in five games.

Golden State Warriors vs Boston Celtics lineups and key players

Golden State Warriors projected starting lineup:

  • Point guard: Stephen Curry
  • Shooting guard: Klay Thompson
  • Small forward: Andrew Wiggins
  • Power forward: Draymond Green
  • Center: Kevon Looney

Stephen Curry is the key player to watch out for. Besides the 25.9ppg he’s averaging in this playoffs, he takes double teams making his teammates free for a higher percentage shot and his off-ball runs destabilize the opponent’s defence.

Boston Celtics projected starting lineup:

  • Point guard: Marcus Smart
  • Shooting guard: Jaylen Brown
  • Small forward: Jayson Tatum
  • Power forward: Al Horford
  • Center: Robert Williams III

Jayson Tatum is the key player to watch out for. He averages 27.0ppg in the playoffs and his dynamic scoring range and elite defence will be of great importance for the Celtics in this series. He has proven to be the man for the Celtics when it mattered the most.

Golden State Warriors vs Boston Celtics predictions and betting tips

This series is going to be a back and forth one and the Warriors who have a better experience in the NBA finals with this one being their 6th in 8 years is something worthwhile to think about. The whole Celtics team are making their first-ever finals appearance and even Ime Udoka is going to coach an NBA finals game for the first time as a head coach. The Warriors are likely to maintain their formidable home win record in the playoffs but the Celtics have been seen to win more away games in the playoffs with the Chase Center not likely to be an exception.

The Warriors will be put to test by how they handle the Celtics’ defence which is nothing like what they’ve seen so far in this playoffs and with the Celtics used to playing teams that shoot the ball well from long range, they sure are no strangers to the Warriors gameplay. I back the Celtics to lock down the Warriors shooters and take game one away from home. Predictions for this game are the Boston Celtics to win and over 212.5 points.

Betting prediction: Boston Celtics to win

Odds: 2.45 (+145 American; 29/20 Fractional)

Betting prediction: Over 212.5 points

Odds: 1.90 (-111 American; 9/10 Fractional)

Basketball NBA . Finals. Game 1
Golden State Warriors — Boston Celtics

Not settled

Over 212.5 points

1.90

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