NBA Playoffs Betting: ATS and O/U Picks for Game 1 of the 2022 Finals

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The last time that these two teams met in the NBA Finals, the Warriors were based out of Philadelphia, and Bill Russell was manning the paint for the Boston Celtics. Fast forward a lot of years, and for the second time, the Warriors and the Celtics will meet in the 2022 NBA Finals. Golden State is no stranger to this stage, as Steph Curry and company have made numerous appearances over the past few years, including every year from 2015-2019.

As for the Boston Celtics, this will be their 18th appearance in the Finals. They last won a title in 2008, as Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, and Paul Pierce led the Celtics to the title. They made their last appearance in the Finals in 2010, but were defeated by Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers. Let’s have a look at our NBA Championship Betting analysis for game 1 so yo can place your bets against their NBA Playoffs Odds.

Let the 2022 Finals Begin! | NBA Championship Betting Analysis

ATS Betting Numbers

Game 1 of the Finals will be played on Thursday night at the Chase Center in San Francisco, California. The Warriors have been great at home during this year’s playoff run. They are 9-0 at home. That could be one of the main reasons that the Warriors are 3.5-point favorites in the series opener. They are a -175 to win, while the Celtics are a +146 to be victorious in Game 1.

The Warriors have a clear advantage at home. Against the spread, they are 5-1 in their last six games, while they’re 30-18-2 on the season when playing at the Chase Center. Throughout the playoffs, they’re 7-2 against the spread in their nine home contests.

While Golden State has truly been “golden” at home throughout the playoffs, the Celtics have been equally as good on the road. The Celtics are 8-1 against the spread in their nine playoff road games. Just like they will be on Thursday, Boston has been an underdog in every road game they’ve played in the playoffs.

We like the Warriors to win the game outright and cover the 3.5-point spread. Home teams are 4-1 against the spread in the last five Finals openers. Boston is going to be tired, as they’re coming off of back-to-back seven-game series. Golden State will be well-rested, and will have had ample time to prepare for Boston’s stingy defense.

We all know that home court advantage is huge in the playoffs, and even bigger in the Finals. We think Golden State will come out ready to go, and will take it to the Celtics. Boston will make a late run, but we see the Warriors winning by seven.

Total Points Scored

The over/under for this one is 211.5. While the Celtics offense has been questioned numerous times throughout the playoffs, no one ever questions Golden State’s potent offense. However, we have to remember that these two teams are the top two defensive teams in the league this season.

During the postseason, Boston is giving up an average of 101 points per game, while Golden State is giving up just over 109. Boston’s defense has been playing at an elite level, and we think the nerves will affect both teams. Both teams will be nervous, and both will play very tough defense. We think that the way to go in this one is to take the under.