Celtics vs. Warriors NBA Finals Game 5 Preview, Prediction & Odds (2022 NBA Finals)
The Warriors’ quest for a fourth NBA title in eight seasons is back on the tracks following a 107-97 win on Friday night in Boston. It was Steph Curry back in his bag for the Warriors, scoring 43 points in one of the best performances of anyone this postseason despite dealing with a foot injury sustained in Game 3.
We now head back to San Francisco tonight for a pivotal Game 5, as the NBA Finals are now a best-of-three series with the Warriors once again holding home-court advantage. Let’s take a closer look at how things might shake out at the Chase Center.
DraftKings Odds
Boston Celtics
Jayson Tatum again led all scorers for the Celtics in Game 3 but floundered in the 4th quarter scoring just once despite playing the whole time. Jaylen Brown added another 21 and Marcus Smart another 18, as both also looked gassed down the stretch as Curry went off over the remaining five minutes of the game.
First-year Celtics’ head coach Ime Udoka was again optimistic after the game, saying he likes his team’s chances and they’ve been in this position before, going 7-0 following a loss this postseason. Robert Williams III was listed as questionable heading into Game 5, starting off strong with 10 boards in the first half but noticeably limping throughout the second.
Golden State Warriors
It was Andrew Wiggins who rose to the Robin (Curry = Batman) occasion for the Warriors in Game 4, scoring 17 points and grabbing 16 boards in the critical win. It was Wiggins +/- (+20) that really stood out for the Warriors, trailing only Kevon Looney to lead all players on either team.
Draymond Green once again struggled with the Celtics’ athleticism, scoring just two points while picking up nine rebounds himself. After a confidence-boosting Game 3 where he scored 25 points, Klay Thompson scored 18 in this game but failed to get to the free-throw line; something the Warriors will look to change in Game 5 back at home.
Prediction and Best Bet
If Williams is anything less than 70-80% for the remainder of this series, I like the Warriors to get it done with relative ease as in the games they’ve won, he has dominated down low. Based on the way he ended Game 4, in which they had a clear home-court advantage with the raucous crowd at TD Garden, I like for the Warriors to come out firing in this game and get it done at the Chase Center.
Pick: Warriors -3.5
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