- Date & Location: Friday, June 10th at the TD Garden in Boston
- Time: 9:00 p.m ET
- How to Watch: ESPN/ABC
The NBA Finals are in full swing as the Boston Celtics and Golden State Warriors battle it out in a crucial Game 4 on Friday at the TD Garden. After the C's were blown out on Sunday, they responded in fine fashion in Game 3, handing the Dubs a 116-100 loss in front of the Boston faithful thanks to the brilliance of their star duo, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.
The Warriors are making their sixth Finals appearance in the last eight seasons and the first since 2019. Golden State had essentially no problem getting through the first three rounds of the NBA Playoffs, beating the Nuggets, Grizzlies, and Mavericks. They also didn't play any more than six games in each of those series.
The Celtics on other hand dealt with a tougher road to the Finals. Aside from sweeping Kevin Durant and the Brooklyn Nets in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals, Boston was pushed to the brink by the defending champion Milwaukee Bucks and the top-seeded Miami Heat. However, the C's managed to take care of both in two series-deciding Game 7's.
Before we get into the odds, preview, and prediction for Game 4 between the Warriors and Celtics, make sure to check out our tips for betting on NBA games and how to bet on NBA Finals.
| Odds to win Game 4 of NBA Finals |  |  |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Golden State Warriors | +145 | +145 | +150 | +125 | +145 |
| Boston Celtics | -170 | -165 | -170 | -150 | -170 |
Warriors Betting Analysis
Golden State really struggled to keep up with Boston in Game 4, despite Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson showing out for a combined 56 points. Klay's breakout performance was absolutely huge for the Dubs, pouring in 25 points on 5 for 13 shooting from downtown. The fact that he's now found his scoring stroke after a dismal first two games is very important, but there were far too many glaring issues for Steve Kerr's squad in this contest.
They came out flat from the tip, getting outscored 33-22 in the opening period as the Celtics quickly went to work. The supporting cast was completely shut down by the C's as well, with Draymond Green, Jordan Poole, Kevon Looney, and Otto Porter looking practically non-existent. The Dubs actually made a run in the third quarter as per usual to briefly take the lead, but the fourth quarter saw the West champions get annihilated, scoring an atrocious 11 points.
The biggest problem for the Warriors however was their inability to make their presence felt inside. Boston outrebounded them 47-31 (15-6 on offensive boards) and outscored the Dubs in the paint by a whopping 52-26. Golden State is undoubtedly an undersized team and it certainly showed on Wednesday, essentially having no answer for their opponents down low on both ends of the floor. With the Celtics possessing two imposing frontcourt figures in Robert Williams and Al Horford, along with the length of Jayson Tatum, the Warriors must do a much better job of defending the paint and the glass. Boston was getting far too many easy buckets.
Also, it's important to note Curry was in notable pain late in the game after taking a knock. It'll be important to keep an eye on his status as Game 4 approaches because if he's unavailable, things change drastically.
Celtics Betting Analysis
Like they've done throughout these entire playoffs, Boston responded after a loss with a statement victory. The C's really showed their resiliency, putting on an impressive display in front of their fans. The highlight of this night for Ime Udoka's squad was the sheer brilliance of Tatum, Brown, and Marcus Smart. The Big 3 combined for 77 of the team's 116 points, with Brown leading the way with 27. The guard actually had 22 in the first half alone, while Tatum took over in the final two quarters. Although he wasn't uber efficient from the field, going just 9 for 23 and 3 for 9 from downtown, the ex-Duke standout also made his presence felt from a playmaking standpoint, dishing out nine assists.
In fact, the ball movement was phenomenal for the Celtics. They collected 28 dimes which translated into countless clean looks from deep or around the cup. Basically, Boston picked apart the Dubs' defense. But, the clear difference-maker proved to be their points in the paint. Everyone showed aggression and desire, doing a great job of getting downhill and attacking the hoop. If there wasn't a clear path, the C's worked as a team to facilitate and find the best possible shots.
You could tell the home-court advantage came into play in the fourth quarter too as Boston outscored Golden State 23-11. The Dubs went cold and seemingly threw the towel in early which the C's fully capitalized off of. Now, Udoka's group needs just two more wins to become NBA champions. They'll have the opportunity to take a 3-1 stranglehold on Friday but knowing the type of team the Warriors are, the Celtics should definitely expect more of a dogfight.
Warriors vs Celtics final pick
You're looking at two teams who are in the Finals for a reason. They fix their mistakes and typically bounce back the next game. If the Dubs can win the battle inside, Game 4 can certainly go in their favor. However, the outcome for Golden State certainly depends on Curry's status. Nevertheless, I have to ride with the Celtics on Friday. Tatum and Co. were very impressive and being at home again should play a key part. Their three-point shooting, interior dominance, and stout defense will show up again.
Pick: Boston Celtics to beat the Golden State Warriors in Game 4.
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