The Boston Celtics can take firm control of the 2022 NBA Finals when they face the Golden State Warriors in Game 2 on Sunday night. Boston used the most lopsided fourth quarter in NBA history to pick up a 120-108 win in Game 1 on Thursday. Veteran Al Horford finished with 24 points for the Celtics, knocking down six 3-pointers in the first NBA Finals game of his career.
Tipoff is set for 8 p.m. ET from the Chase Center in San Francisco. The Warriors are listed as 4.5-point favorites in the latest Warriors vs. Celtics odds from Caesars Sportsbook, with the over-under set at 214.5. Before you make any 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 buck conventional wisdom, Cimini excels in multiple sports. Over the past 33 NBA picks, Cimini is 22-11, returning almost $800 to $100 players. He is also on an amazing 38-16-1 run with his last 55 against-the-spread picks involving the Celtics, returning almost $1,800 to $100 players.
Now, Cimini has set his sights on Celtics vs. Warriors, and just locked in his picks and NBA playoff predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see his picks. Here are several NBA odds and betting lines for Warriors vs. Celtics:
- Celtics vs. Warriors spread: Golden State -4.5
- Celtics vs. Warriors over-under: 214.5 points
- Celtics vs. Warriors money line: 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 a road underdog
- GS: Warriors are 5-1 ATS in their last six games following a straight-up loss
Why the Celtics can cover
Boston is riding a huge wave of momentum after outscoring Golden State 40-16 in the fourth quarter on Thursday, drilling nine 3-pointers in the final frame. The betting market is giving bettors a chance to get even more value with the Celtics in Game 2, moving the spread from -3.5 to -4.5. Boston has now covered the spread in 13 of its last 14 road games, becoming the first team to beat the Warriors at home during the 2022 NBA playoffs.
The Celtics were able to pull off the upset despite a terrible performance from their superstar, which bodes well for their chances to add another win on Sunday. Jayson Tatum went just 3 of 17 from the floor, while Steph Curry finished with 34 points for the Warriors. Boston has covered the spread at a 5-0-1 clip in the last six meetings between these teams.
Why the Warriors can cover
Two-time MVP Curry is an elite sharpshooter from all over the floor as he has deep range and can catch fire in a hurry. The eight-time All-Star has the arsenal to torch anyone lined up against him and that was on full display in Game 1. Curry exploded for 21 points and shot 6-for-7 from three in the first quarter. He ended up finishing the matchup with 34 points, five rebounds, and five assists.
Guard Klay Thompson is another knockdown shooter on the perimeter. Thompson has played in plenty of big-time games and knows what that pressure feels like that. The five-time All-Star can heat up in a blink of an eye and Golden State will need that type of performance in Game 2. Thompson has an effortless shooting stroke with good defensive instincts. He produced 15 points and shot 3-for-7 from deep in Game 1.
How to make Warriors vs. Celtics picks
For Game 2 of the NBA Finals 2022, Cimini is leaning over on the point total, but he also says a critical X-factor makes one side of the spread a must-back. He's only sharing what it is, and which side of the Warriors vs. Celtics spread to back, at SportsLine.
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 spread you need to jump on, all from the expert that has crushed his NBA picks, and find out.
