The 2022 NBA Finals move to Boston with the Celtics and Warriors tied 1-1. Will this be the first time this postseason the Celtics lose back-to-back games or can they take advantage of the home crowd and move ahead in the series?
If you want a more detailed look at this series, read our full series breakdown.
Playoff Tale of the Tape:
| GOLDEN STATE | STAT | BOSTON |
| 113.7 (1st) | Points Per Game | 106.8 (8th) |
| 108.5 (7th) | Points Allowed Per Game | 101.7 (3rd) |
| 38.3% (3rd) | 3PT Shooting % | 37.3% (5th) |
| 37.5% (12th) | Opponent 3PT Shooting % | 32.9% (3rd) |
| 13.9 (12th) | Turnovers per game | 13.5 (9th) |
Can’t Miss Offer From Caesars
Boston Playoff leaders:
- Jayson Tatum, F. – 26.3 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 6.1 APG, 1.2 SPG, 38.6% 3PT
- Jaylen Brown, G. – 22.7 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 3.6 APG, 1.2 SPG, 37.4% 3PT
- Al Horford, F. – 12.1 PPG, 9.3 RPG, 3.3 APG, 1.5 BPG, 51.2% FG
Warriors Playoff Leaders:
- Stephen Curry, PG: 26.6 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 6.0 APG, 1.3 SPG, 39.1% 3PT
- Klay Thompson, SG: 19.1 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 2.3 APG, 38.6% 3PT
- Andrew Wiggins, SF: 15.8 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 1.6 APG, 47.5% FG
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Key Injuries:
- Andre Iguodala, Golden State: Questionable (Neck)
- Marcus Smart, Boston: Questionable (Knee)
Game 3 Prediction and Free Pick:
- As we mentioned in the opener, the Celtics have not lost two games in a row so far these playoffs. Actually, they haven’t lost two games in a row since the end of January.
- However, they will need more consistent efforts from their stars if they want to keep that streak going. We all read about how cold Jayson Tatum was in Game 1, but he had a much better Game 2 shooting 8-18 from the field and 6-9 from beyond the arc en route to 28 points. However, Marcus Smart and Al Horford both scored only two points each in Game 2 despite both playing at least 25 minutes. Horford had been tremendous in Game 1, notching 26 points, so the Celtics will need him to bounce back if they have a shot in Game 3.
- Boston will also need to keep shooting well from downtown since they’ve relied so heavily on the three-ball so far this series. The Celtics are shooting 46.2% from beyond the arc and have made only one fewer three-pointer than two-point shot this series. Considering the Warriors have been giving up a fair amount of threes this postseason, it is a strategy that attacks a particular weakness but one that is certainly risky.
- The other key for Boston will be trying to slow down Stephen Curry, who led all scorers with 29 points in Game 2, after also leading all scorers in Game 1. So far, Curry is shooting 45.9% from deep in the series and broke an NBA record in Game 1 when he hit six three-pointers in just the first quarter.
- The lopsided win for the Warriors in Game 2 overshadowed how poor Klay Thompson looked on offense. The guard shot just 4-19 from the field and 1-8 from three for 11 points and three rebounds. Considering Andrew Wiggins also shot just 33% from the field, the Warriors will have to hope for a better effort from both complementary pieces if they are going to go on the road and win as underdogs.
- Yes, underdogs. The +3.5 odds for Golden State are the largest odds they’ve faced in any NBA Finals game since Steve Kerr became head coach. In fact, it’s just the 8th time they’ve been underdogs in any round of the postseason under Kerr. They’re 3-4 against the spread in those previous seven instances.
- Boston was really good at home in the regular season, going 33-17, but they have gone just 5-4 straight up at home during the playoffs. Boston was also just 22-26-2 against the spread at home during the regular season, which is near identical to Golden State’s 20-26-2 road record against the spread, which was good for just 26th in the NBA during the regular season.
- Boston is also 24-13 against the spread after a loss this season and was 15-22 on the Over/Under after a loss, which makes sense for a defensive-minded team to bear down on their defensive principles when they feel they need a win.
- Last 10: BOS is 6-4 in their last 10 games. GS is 7-3 in their last 10 games.
- Last 10 – Against the Spread: BOS is 6-4-0 ATS in their last 10 games. GS is 6-4-0 ATS.
- Last 10 – Over/Under: BOS is 5-5-0 on the over/under in their last 10 games. GS is 5-5-0.
- Last 10 – Score: BOS averaged 105.2 points scored in their last 10 games. GS averaged 109.7 points scored.
- Last 10 – Score Allowed: BOS allowed 99.4 points on average in their last 10 games. GS allowed 106.9 points.
- NBA FREE PICK:
