NBA Betting Preview: Celtics Favored To Take 2-1 Series Lead

Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart (36)
Image Credit: Jim Rassol-USA TODAY Sports

Golden State Warriors (65-34, 51-45-4 ATS) @ Boston Celtics (64-38, 57-43-2 ATS), 9 p.m. ET

Lines/News: The Celtics are 3.5-point favorites to take a 2-1 lead in the NBA Finals. The O/U is  212.5. The Warriors won Game 2 to even the series at 1-1, 107-88, at Golden State. The Warriors are 7-3 straight up over their last 10 games. The Celtics are 6-4. Golden State is 46-52-2 to the Over this year and the Celtics are 49-51-2.

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Warriors Trends: The Warriors are 6-2 against the spread (ATS) in their last eight playoff games. The Warriors are 1-6 ATS against the Celtics in their last seven games. The Over is 7-1 in Warriors games after the last game stayed under the points total in their last eight instances.

Celtics Trends: The Celtics are 7-0 ATS after a loss in their last seven games. The Celtics are 6-1 ATS after two days of rest in their last seven games.

  • Can the Celtics bounce back strong in Game 3? You can find the odds for Boston -3.5 (-110) at BetMGM Sportsbook 
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Player Trends: Golden State Warriors Klay Thompson (O/U 19.5 points) scored 20+ points in six of his 18 (33.33%) playoff games this season (avg. 19.1). He’s scored 20+ points in 0 of his last 9 (0%) games after a win (avg. 15.1) and 0 of his last 5 (0%) on the road (avg. 15.4).

Boston Celtics Al Horford (O/U 11.5 points) has scored 12+ points in nine of his 19 (47.4%) playoff games, all this season (avg. 12.1). He’s scored 12+ points in two of his last eight (25%) when his team is the favorite (avg. 9.3) and 0 of his last 5 (0%) after his team failed to cover (avg. 6.6).