The NBA Finals Shifts to Boston for Game 3
The NBA Finals moves to Boston for Game 3, and the series is currently tied at 1-1. The Boston Celtics managed to secure a victory in Game 1 on the road in San Francisco, while the Golden State Warriors responded with an impressive win in Game 2.
Celtics Favorites for Game 3
As we head into Game 3 on Wednesday night, the Celtics are favored to win with a point spread of -3.5. Playing on their home court, they have an opportunity to regain the series lead over the Warriors.
The Celtics have performed well against the spread this season, boasting a record of 56-43-1. In the postseason, they have been even more impressive, going 13-7 ATS. However, their performance in covering the spread at home hasn’t been as strong, with a record of 22-26-2 ATS at TD Garden.
Game 3 Details: Warriors vs. Celtics
Tip-off: Wednesday, June 8 @ 9 pm ET
Location: TD Garden, Boston
Point Spread: -3.5
Total: 214.5 o/u
Moneyline: GSW +140 / BOS -160
Warriors’ Performance and Championship Odds
The Warriors have an overall ATS record of 51-45-4 this season, but in the playoffs, they have struggled, going just 10-8 ATS. As a road team, their straight-up record is 25-23, but they have only managed a 20-26-2 ATS record away from home. In six playoff games on the road, the Warriors have only secured two wins.
According to DraftKings, the Celtics are currently favored to win the 2022 NBA Championship with odds of -115, while the Warriors have odds of -105.
Warriors: Where’s Klay?
In Game 2, the Warriors seemed to benefit from favorable treatment from the officials. They were allowed to play with extra physicality against the Celtics, and Draymond Green even escaped a double technical after an incident with Jaylen Brown. If the officials continue to allow Green to play in his usual aggressive style and let both teams engage in physical play, the Warriors could have an advantage.
Despite predicting that the NBA Finals would become a 3-point shooting contest, the shooting performance from both teams has been fairly balanced so far. The Warriors have been keeping up with the Celtics from long range. In two games, they have made 34 out of 82 attempted 3-pointers, achieving a 41.4% success rate. Meanwhile, the Celtics have shot slightly better, making 46.2% of their 36-for-78 attempts. However, they have only managed to make two more 3-pointers than the Warriors.
Both teams have effectively utilized the 3-pointer to gain advantages in crucial quarters. In Game 1, the Celtics, especially Al Horford, capitalized on the 3-pointer during the fourth quarter to take a 1-0 lead in the NBA Finals. In Game 2, it was the Warriors who had a remarkable shooting performance from downtown during a pivotal third quarter, allowing them to pull away from the Celtics.
Steph Curry has emerged as a top candidate for the NBA Finals MVP, averaging 31.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game. He has been shooting impressively from beyond the arc as well, with a 46.2% success rate. However, Klay Thompson has struggled in the NBA Finals, averaging just 13 points per game while shooting 30.3% from the floor and 26.7% from 3-point range. The Warriors will need him to find his rhythm and contribute more offensively.
Celtics: Third-Quarter Struggles
The Celtics have faced significant challenges in the third quarter during the first two games of the NBA Finals. In Game 1, the Warriors outscored the Celtics 38-24 in the third quarter, resulting in a double-digit lead for Golden State. However, the Celtics managed to mount a thrilling fourth-quarter comeback when the Warriors went cold. In Game 2, the Warriors continued their dominance in the third quarter, outscoring the Celtics 35-14 and leaving them unable to recover.
Throughout the postseason, turnovers and missed shots have been ongoing issues for the Celtics, particularly in the third quarter. Celtics head coach Ime Udoka acknowledged these challenges, stating, “That’s been an ongoing theme in the playoffs so far. We turn over the ball. Give (opponents) easy baskets.”
Jayson Tatum also recognized the impact of offensive struggles on their defense, admitting, “Sometimes letting our offense affect how we defend means we’re a little stagnant in the third quarter.”
If the Celtics can address these issues and come out firing on all cylinders after halftime, they have the potential to regain control of the series. However, they have struggled in games where they have been outscored by more than 14 points, with a 1-3 record in those situations. Jaylen Brown has been a key scorer for the Celtics, averaging 20.5 points per game, closely followed by Tatum with 20 points per game. In Game 2, Tatum bounced back from a disappointing Game 1 performance with an impressive 28-point display. The Celtics will also need contributions from Derrick White, who has averaged 16.5 points per game off the bench, but was effectively neutralized by the Warriors’ defense in Game 2.
Conclusion
As the NBA Finals proceeds to Boston for Game 3, both teams are seeking to gain an advantage in what has proven to be an exciting and closely contested series. The Celtics have the opportunity to take the lead with a win on their homecourt, but the Warriors have shown resilience and have the potential to disrupt the Celtics’ plans. The performance of key players such as Steph Curry and Jaylen Brown, as well as addressing critical issues like turnovers and third-quarter struggles, will play a pivotal role in determining the outcome of the game and potentially shifting the series in favor of one team. The NBA Finals continues to captivate basketball fans around the world as the battle for the championship intensifies.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How has the Celtics performed against the spread?
The Celtics have a solid record against the spread this season, going 56-43-1. In the postseason, they have been even more successful, with a record of 13-7 ATS.
2. What are the odds for the Celtics winning the 2022 NBA Championship?
The Celtics are currently favored to win the 2022 NBA Championship, with odds of -115 according to DraftKings.
3. Which player has been performing exceptionally well for the Warriors in the NBA Finals?
Steph Curry has been outstanding for the Warriors in the NBA Finals, averaging 31.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game. He has been shooting at an impressive 46.2% from beyond the arc.
4. Who has been the leading scorer for the Celtics?
Jaylen Brown has been the leading scorer for the Celtics, averaging 20.5 points per game in the NBA Finals.
5. What has been a major challenge for the Celtics in the NBA Finals?
The Celtics have struggled in the third quarter of games during the NBA Finals, with issues such as turnovers and missed shots hindering their performance. They will need to address these challenges to regain control of the series.
