The Boston Celtics (21-5) and Golden State Warriors (13-13) meet Saturday at Chase Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. ET (ABC). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Celtics vs. Warriors odds, and make our expert NBA picks and predictions.
The Celtics are the favorites to win the NBA Finals at +330 and have covered the spread in 8 of their last 9 games.
Boston’s most-recent win was a 125-98 blowout at the Phoenix Suns Wednesday as 2-point underdogs. Boston originally opened as a 1.5-point underdog before the market moved the line toward Phoenix. F Jayson Tatum and G Jaylen Brown both scored 25 points as Boston covered for the entirety of the final 3 quarters.
The Warriors covered as 6-point underdogs without G Stephen Curry (ankle soreness) in a 124-123 loss at the Utah Jazz Wednesday. G Jordan Poole finished with a game-high 36 points and team-high 8 assists. Curry is good to go for this one.
The Warriors are 7-1 against the spread (ATS) in their last 8 home games. Despite its .500 record, Golden State has the 3rd-best odds to win the NBA Finals at +700.
The last head-to-head meeting between the Celtics and Warriors was Game 6 of the 2022 NBA Finals when Golden State won straight up as a 4-point road underdog 103-90 to win the NBA title.
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Celtics at Warriors odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:30 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Celtics -145 (bet $145 to win $100) | Warriors +125 (bet $100 to win $125)
- Against the spread (ATS): Celtics -2.5 (-115) | Warriors +2.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 237.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
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Celtics at Warriors key injuries
Celtics
- C Al Horford (health and safety protocols) out
- C Robert Williams III (knee) out
Warriors
- F Andrew Wiggins (thigh) out
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
Celtics at Warriors picks and predictions
Prediction
Warriors 118, Celtics 112
Moneyline
Sprinkle on WARRIORS (+125).
The Warriors’ biggest hurdle to overcome this season seems to be lack of urgency. There should be no lack of motivation for Golden State Saturday as it gets to play in a rematch of the 2022 NBA Finals in front of its home crowd on national television. While some may like Boston’s revenge angle, it’s not a system that is profitable long term.
Against the spread
BET WARRIORS +2.5 (-105).
This is my best bet of the night. The Warriors are being undervalued in this spot after Boston has been playing like the best team in the NBA for the past 2 weeks.
Despite Golden State sitting at .500 on the season, it is still 1 of the best home teams in the league with an 11-2 record. The Warriors’ last home loss was a 112-104 embarrassment vs. the Indiana Pacers Monday when the best shooter of all time finished 3-of-17 from the field. I would not expect Curry to put up numbers like that anytime soon.
Give me 1 of the best home teams in the NBA catching points vs. a Celtics team playing its 4th straight road game.
Over/Under
BET UNDER 237.5 (-115).
The Under is 7-0-1 in Boston’s last 8 road games and 3-0 in Golden State’s last 3 home games. I expect a more playoff-like atmosphere in this matchup, and I believe both teams will give full effort on the defensive end. This number is set slightly too high considering the recent playoff history between these 2 teams.
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