A rematch of last year’s NBA Finals is on deck for tonight’s matchup between the Golden State Warriors and the Boston Celtics. Tip-off is set for 8:30 p.m. ET at Chase Center.
The Celtics might have lost in six games to the Warriors last June, but a lot has changed since then. They boast the best record in the NBA at 21-5 and have the best clip against the spread at 17-9 as well. The Warriors are just 13-13 on the year, though have shown a tendency to play better at home.
Be sure to check the OddsShopper tool for the best NBA odds ahead of tonight’s action.
NBA Odds: Celtics-Warriors Odds
Celtics Can Prove They Are The Favorite
Boston needed multiple seven-game series to make it through the Eastern Conference last summer, though it was ultimately eliminated by Golden State in Game 6 of the NBA Finals on June 16. Tonight’s result won’t change that, of course, but it can help the Celtics make a big statement.
As of today, Boston is the favorite to win the NBA Finals, with a price of +300 at Caesars. Golden State is third in that market with a price of +650, while the Milwaukee Bucks are a contender as well. The Celtics, who have won three games in a row, can start to separate from the rest of the pack by picking up signature wins like this one.
Look for Boston to set the tone early, as this team has done all year. The Celtics lead the league with a net rating of +20.6 in the first quarter, per NBA.com. Boston is +9.3 in the third quarter, which is the fifth-best clip in the league. The latter is significant because the Warriors rank fifth in the league with a net rating of +15 in the third quarter at home this year.
That’s what makes this game particularly interesting. Boston is clearly the best team in the league, but Golden State has been nearly flawless at home. Will that ultimately be the equalizer in this marquee matchup?
Will Home Success Boost Warriors?
The Warriors (13-13) are currently on a two-game skid and would be the No. 10 seed in the Western Conference if the season ended today. On the surface, this spread shouldn’t be this close, but Golden State’s home/road splits are eye opening. This season, the defending champions have an 11-2 record at home and 9-4 against the spread inside the friendly confines of Chase Center. That trusty third quarter spread for the Warriors doesn’t exist away from home. They have a -9.2 net rating in the third period during away games, ranking 23rd in the league.
The Warriors didn’t even win their first road game until Nov. 20, following an 0-8 start away from home. They are now 2-11 in road games. That said, with this game out west, they might actually have a shot to knock off the league’s best team.
Final Celtics-Warriors Prediction & Pick
This game is so fascinating from a handicapping perspective. It comes down to what is more important between Boston’s overall body of work and Golden State’s prolific resume at home. The Celtics are 17-9 against the spread (65.4%) for the best clip in the league, covering the number by an average of 3.2 points per game. This spread feels like a point too low, and Boston should take care of business in tonight’s showdown.
Final Celtics-Warriors Prediction: Celtics -2.5 (-110) at Caesars
