Skip to main content

Opening 2022 NBA Finals Game 1 Odds – Warriors 3.5-Point Favorites vs Celtics

  • The Golden State Warriors opened up as 3.5-point favorites over the Boston Celtics in Game 1 of the NBA Finals (Thursday, June 2nd)
  • Golden State will be making its sixth NBA Finals appearance in the last eight years
  • Read below for opening odds analysis and a prediction on which way the line will move before the series opener

For the past eight years there have been only a few things you can truly count on. Death, taxes and the Golden State Warriors making the NBA Finals.

Steve Kerr’s squad is back in the championship round this season for the sixth time in eight years, looking to win the fourth title of his tenure.

Golden State will square off with Boston on basketball’s biggest stage, as the Celtics are fresh off punching their first ticket to the Finals since 2010.

Celtics vs Warriors Game 1 Odds

Team Moneyline Spread Total
Boston Celtics +136 +3.5 (-110) O 210.5 (-110)
Golden State Warriors -162 -3.5 (-110) U 210.5 (-110)

Odds as of May 29th from FanDuel Sportsbook.

Boston, along with the LA Lakers, are tied for the most NBA Titles in history with 17. However, oddsmakers aren’t expecting a record-breaking 18th championship this time around.

The Warriors opened up as 3.5-point favorites Game 1, and are big favorites in the NBA Championship odds. Golden State currently boasts odds of -155 to win it all, which marks the sixth consecutive time they’ve been favored in the NBA Finals.

DRAFTKINGS
SPORTSBOOK


Bet $5 & Get $150 if Your Team Wins!

LOCK IN PROMO
NBA PLAYOFFS PROMO
BET $5
GET $150
GET PROMO

Golden State Warriors Betting Analysis

The Warriors joined some very elite company with their latest berth in the championship round. Only the Michael Jordan-led Bulls of the 90’s, the Magic Johnson Lakers of the 80’s and the Bill Russell-led Celtics of the 50’s and 60’s have ever made the NBA Finals six times in an eight-year stretch.

Golden State captured the title in three of their first four appearances of the Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green era, before falling short in 2019 against Toronto. Of course, Kevin Durant was also a big part of the Warriors’ last three NBA Finals berths, but both he and Thompson were injured against the Raptors.

Thompson didn’t play at all in either the 2019-20 or 2020-21 seasons due to two major surgeries, and Golden State missed the playoffs in both campaigns.

He’s completely healthy now and his play is a major reason why the Warriors are back in familiar territory. Thompson poured in 32 points in the Western Conference Finals clinching game, while Curry captured series MVP honors.

Another big reason for their success is their incredible play at home. Golden State is 9-0 at home this postseason, with a ridiculous 120.8 offensive rating and 14.4 net rating at Chase Center.

The Warriors will have home court advantage against the Celtics, and own an average margin of victory of 13 points in their own building.

Boston Celtics Betting Analysis

However, if you had to pick a team this season that could take down Golden State, Boston would have to be among the top contenders. The Celtics are elite defensively, and can throw multiple plus-defenders at the Splash Bros.

Boston led the entire NBA in defensive rating during the regular season. They produced the DPOY in Marcus Smart, and have continued to excel in their own end in the postseason. Only Milwaukee has a better defensive rating during the playoffs, but the Celtics are certainly not one dimensional.

They feature two elite scorers in Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, and possess good size and rebounding in the front court.

Also working in the Celtics favor is their ability to perform away from home. Winning in Golden State will be a necessity if Boston wants to hoist the Larry O-B, and they’ve proven they’re road warriors all postseason long. Boston is 7-2 away from home in the playoffs with an offensive rating of 114 compared to 111 at TD Garden.

The Celtics are certainly a live ‘dog to win the title but expectations should probably be tempered for Game 1. They’ve gotten off to slow starts in back-to-back series, dropping the opener by an average of 11.5 points.

Celtics vs Warriors Game 1 Line Movement

The combination of Boston’s slow starts and the public’s infatuation with Golden State is likely to cause this line to move in the Warriors favor. The betting public will also be enamored with Golden State’s recent ATS run. Curry and Co. have covered in five of their past six games, and in four straight at home.

The Warriors are also 4-1 in recent NBA Finals openers, winning each time in their own building by at least 8 points. If you want to back Boston sit tight, a better number should be available closer to the Game 1 tip-off.

The post Opening 2022 NBA Finals Game 1 Odds – Warriors 3.5-Point Favorites vs Celtics appeared first on Sports Betting Dime.



from Sports Betting Dime https://ift.tt/WRjNXEc
via IFTTT

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

The Players Championship Odds, Predictions, and Best Picks 2025

The Players Championship tees off Thursday, March 13th, 2025 Scottie Scheffler is the heavy +360 favorite to win this tournament for the third straight year See the 2025 Players Championship odds, picks, and best value bets below After Russell Henley won the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill, the PGA Tour’s best head to Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida for the “fifth major” – the Players Championship. It’s the crown jewel on the schedule, and the field is stacked as it tackles the quirky and confounding TPC Sawgrass, with Scottie Scheffler searching for a record third straight title at this tournament. 48 of the top 50 golfers in the world will be teeing it up (not Bryson DeChambeau or Tyrrell Hatton). The Players Championship Odds 2025 Golfers Odds Scottie Scheffler +360 Rory McIlroy +800 Collin Morikawa +1600 Xander Schauffele +1600 Ludvig Aberg +2000 Justin Thomas +2000 Hideki Matsuyama +2800 Tommy Fleetwood +3000 Patrick Cantlay +3...

Early Indiana vs Notre Dame Prediction, Pick & Odds for CFP Playoffs Round 1

We’ve made our early Indiana vs Notre Dame prediction for the College Football Playoff first round The latest CFP odds favor the Fighting Irish by over a touchdown at home Read below for our Indiana vs Notre Dame prediction, picks, and odds The College Football Playoff kicks off with a blockbuster matchup between in-state foes, as the No. 10 seed Indiana Hoosiers (11-1) travel to South Bend to take on the No. 7 seed Notre Dame Fighting Irish (11-1). The Irish are laying 7.5 points at home in this one, with the total sitting at 50.5 points. This marks the first-ever meeting between these programs in the playoff, adding even more intrigue to what was already shaping up as one of the most compelling first-round clashes. The Fighting Irish are looking to reestablish themselves as a national powerhouse, while the Hoosiers are out to prove their magical season is no fluke. Oddsmakers are siding with the Irish, but the sharp money is going the other way… Indiana vs Notre Dame Odds ...

SMU vs Houston Odds and Picks

#6 Houston is a 10-point home favorite over SMU on Sunday (Jan. 31st, 1 pm EST) The Cougars have won seven straight and beat the Mustangs by 14 in their first meeting See below for analysis, odds and a betting prediction This Sunday will be the first since Labour Day weekend without NFL games to sweat. But never fear, college hoops has you covered with an AAC matchup between SMU and #6 Houston starting at 1 pm EST. The Cougars (14-1, 9-1 AAC) have won seven straight, while the Mustangs (9-3, 5-3 AAC) salvaged a split in their home and home series with Memphis last time out. SMU vs #6 Houston Odds Team Spread Moneyline Total SMU Mustangs +10 (-110) OFF Over 139 (-110) Houston Cougars -10 (-110) OFF Under 139 (-110) Odds taken Jan. 30th. Houston opened up as a 10-point favorite , in a game that features a total of 139. The Cougars are fresh off a 23-point win over Tulane in their last contest, dominating the Green Wave despite missing leading scorer Que...