NBA Playoffs 2022 on Friday, 03.06.2022
Both franchises are truly not perennial subscribers when it comes to the NBA Finals! In fact, the last time the Golden State Warriors and Boston Celtics faced each other in the Finals was in 1964 – just before the first moon landing.
Meanwhile, in my Warriors Celtics tip, I will give the reader reasons why the visitors have more than an outside chance of winning. The top bookies are almost all on the wrong track in my opinion!
The Celtics are in the NBA Finals for the first time since 2010! This success is due to an unprecedented defensive effort that enabled the Green and Whites to defeat the Miami Heat, the best regular-season team in the Western Conference.
Shortly before that, Boston had even knocked the defending champions from Milwaukee out of the tournament! Although the path in both cases led via a so-called “Game 7”, if anyone ever earned a finals appearance, it was surely the C’s.
Moreover, I have the feeling that the Green-Whites are finding their way into the playoffs better and better! After all, in three of the last four games against the Heat, the usually offensively potent Floridians failed to even crack the 100-point mark.
It can therefore be assumed that it will come down to a low-scoring game! Nevertheless, as far as the course of the game is concerned, much remains in the dark in advance. For the data at hand provides ambivalent results to begin with.
Both franchises played only two games against each other this season. The first, in December 2021, was won by the Warriors by a narrow margin of 111-107, while the second match-up in March of this year went clearly to the Celtics by 110-88.
How did it come about? Basically, in the victory of the Californians in the first season duel, their superstar Stephen Curry was the guarantor for the success with 30 points, while he had to leave early in the second clash due to an injury and thus left the field to the Green-Whites without a fight.
For the Warriors, a lot thus depends on Stephen Curry – and indeed their superstar has been fundamental to their run to the Finals.
For one thing, the blue and yellow team’s tournament run so far has been comparatively “easy” compared to that of Boston. On the other hand, the last direct duel possibly provides some insights that can be interpreted in favour of the guests.
For the C’s could not have won the last direct duel with a difference of 22 points if Stephen Curry had been in the game. Nevertheless, the Boston “Big 3” managed to leave a clear scent under the Dubs’ basket on this occasion.
Celtics superstars Jayson Tatum, Marcus Smart and Jaylen Brown combined for 72 points and 15 assists against the Warriors in March.
Tatum, in particular, was undoubtedly at his best that night with a double-double.
The Bostonians thus not only have the potential, but have already proven that they can cope with the much-vaunted defence of the Warriors. Furthermore, the Dubs had the – as already mentioned – easier pre-programme.
Because the Grizzlies in the first round were not without, but the dark blue simply lacked valuable playoff experience. The Mavericks in the follow up were no walk-ons either, but far too reliant on Luka Doncic.
Boston, by comparison, is a complete team with enough playoff experience, a balanced style of play and not overly dependent on any one player. For the Warriors, this will undoubtedly be their most difficult series!
Conclusion: The home side are favoured because they are indeed an exceptionally talented squad. Nevertheless, the relatively one-sided Warriors Celtics odds tempt me to make a far from outlandish underdog bet.
Because in my eyes, the visitors have fully earned my trust in their abilities. After all, if you can beat the Bucks and Heat, you should be able to handle the Yellow and Blue.
Moreover, the C’s were already able to convince in terms of play in the last direct duel in March. While the inimitable Stephen Curry was missing on that occasion on the opposite side, that doesn’t excuse the big problems the Californians’ defence had that night.
My Warriors Celtics tip: The C’s win the opener!
