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The Warriors avoided disaster by beating the Celtics in Game 4 to even the series. Now with the series returning to the West Coast, it looks like Golden State has the upper hand.
The home team has been favored in every game of the series but is 2-2 SU ATS. It is hard to know what to really make of that. There is still an advantage to being the home team, I think.
What we do know is that Steph Curry was more than just OK after his ankle tweak late in Game 3. He scored 43 points in Game 4 to lead all scorers.
Golden State mixed up their lineup a little starting Otto Porter in the middle. Big man Kevon Looney was still a massive part of the win though, he was +21 to lead all players.
With the series tied and games getting ever scarcer it will be interesting to see what other moves either team will make as they try to find an advantage that can get them two wins in the next three games to hoist the championship trophy.
Game Info
Boston Celtics (2-2) vs. Golden State Warriors (2-2)
Monday, June 13, 2022
9:00 PM ET
Chase Center, San Francisco, California
ABC
Betting Odds
Spread: Celtics +3.5, Warriors -3.5 (-110)
Total: 212.5
Moneyline: Celtics +140, Warriors -160
Best Bet
Golden State -3.5
After four games of feeling each other out, maybe this series is finally going to start to go according to expectation.
These are two very good teams but with Curry at the height of his powers and a number of Warriors with room to still grow their games, Golden State is the better team for me. I thought they would win the series in six games and I am not going to back off that prediction now.
The winning team has covered in every game so I am leaning into that, and into the idea that we just might not get a close game in the Finals the way I thought we would. Every game seems to feature a run in the second half that builds a cushion the other team just can’t match.
Coming off the win and heading home you have to think the Warriors are going to use the same lineup they did in Game 4. Porter was no difference-maker, but I think it gives Looney a chance to see the game develop a little and not pick up a cheap foul or two. This series has been very physical.
You can bet the Celtics are going to be all over Curry, but they have been since the first quarter of Game 1 and it hasn’t stopped him from being the best player in the series. I am not sure he is playing his best ball but he has been awesome and there is no reason to expect that to change.
What is encouraging for the Warriors to close things out is that Klay Thompson and Andrew Wiggins have been getting more and more productive as the series progresses. Wiggins had 17 points and 16 rebounds in the last game and his +20 was better than Curry’s +11 in Game 4. He doesn’t take over a game the way that Steph does, but his play, especially his defense, has been invaluable. He is also playing more minutes than any Warrior.
I am looking for this game to follow the pattern of the two previous Warriors’ victories. Look for Steph to be awesome and for the supporting cast of Wiggins and Thompson to be close enough in production to Celtic stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown to make the difference.
If Draymond Green actually starts making the few shots he takes, and firing up the crowd as a result, this game could be out of hand by halftime.
It is time for Golden State to finally put its foot on the gas.
Score Prediction: Golden State 111 – Boston 101
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