The last time there was this Celtics’ hype was during the 2008 NBA Finals. It was the big three of Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce – the first season this triumvirate played together. Not much because they were famous but they have something to prove. That time wasn’t their basketball prime year but because of heart and resilience, there was the natural high of watching them succeed.
14 years later, the Boston Celtics are back to the NBA Finals. Now, against the ever-dependable Golden State Warriors’ trifecta of Draymond Green, Klay Thompson and Stephen Curry.
Casual fans, as well, the fanatics are thinking that if they are NBA executives managing the Boston Celtics, the team that they can be most scared to face is this GSW. They redefined the meaning of shooting and basketball teamwork. Some sports analysts before their championship run had some strong words against a team that shoots more outside the arc. But this team proved these sportscasters wrong.
It’s 2022 and the stakes are high. Sports bettors are picking their choice. Las Vegas is giving its bold but calculated predictions.
The Golden State Warriors have opened the NBA Finals as a minus-155 favorite over the Boston Celtics at Caesars Sportsbook. According to CBS Sports, this means that a bet of $155 on Golden State would net a profit of $100. Boston is currently a plus-135 underdog, meaning a $100 bet on the Celtics would net a $135 profit.
Las Vegas has its betting odds but as well, some NBA insiders and basketball analysts. Shaun Powell, an NBA journalist, has an interesting take on this, regarding things to watch:
- Will Curry, as an individual, finally emerge on top?
From a team standpoint, Curry already owns three titles. But how about as an individual? He was never the best player on the court in the Warriors’ five trips to The Finals. Mainly, not his fault. But due to the fact that some other greats are stepping big time come the NBA Finals – LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and other notable names. Also, there were also instances that his usual greatness was overshadowed by other players’ game elevation during this important part of the season. Case in point – Andre Iguodala. He already has the All-Star and Western Conference finals MVP award. The Finals MVP would be a big accolade to add to his personal list. It is elusive but not an impossibility.
- How much will Draymond Green defend Jayson Tatum?
It will almost be an automatic assignment for Draymond Green, a former Defensive Player of the Year, to guard the Boston’s lethal scorer Jayson Tatum. But Andrew Wiggins is also a good fit to guard Celtic’s explosive player with jersey number 0. Wiggins had a decent work guarding Dallas Mavericks’ Luca Doncic. But should Wiggins be in foul trouble guarding Tatum, Green can be Steve Kerr’s next man for the job.
- The Celtics are the bigger team.
Dallas Mavericks tried but fell short flexing their muscles against the well-oiled Golden State Warriors during the Western Conference Finals. But the Celtics, with all the difficult scenarios they’ve been through the past months, might have a bigger chance of figuring out the Warriors.
Al Horford is playing like this is his prime and Williams III is a dependable rim protector. Grant Williams and Daniel Theis can also do wonders for the team. Height can be a factor for this series and Boston can exploit the mismatch. The Warriors might not totally adjust just for the heck of it but perhaps, they can re-think their small-ball approach.
With the mentioned factors, perhaps people are contemplating if they should put a bet. Oriental Game, with its clean interface and user-friendly web page, can be a consideration regarding this wondering. Its description is a killer, “An all-in-one sports betting solution that provides monthly Head-2-Head statistics for 30,000+ matches, 2,400+ tournaments, and 120+ sports types including Virtual Sports and eSports with exclusive Bet Trade features.”
But the question is – Should it be the Celtics or the Warriors?
Despite what mentioned earlier regarding GSW being the team other ball clubs can be most scared to face, Shaun Powell’s pick is an agreeable choice. He said, “The Celtics might be a team of destiny given their surge since mid-January, Tatum’s ascent, Smart’s defensive impact, a tough trek through the East playoffs and finally getting over that conference finals hump. The Warriors do have home-court advantage and they’re unbeaten at Chase Center this postseason, but the Celtics have won seven times on the road in the playoffs, including a Game 7 in Miami.”
Thus, this bold prediction – Celtics in 7.
Sources:
https://www.nba.com/news/2022-finals-preview-warriors-celtics