The Boston Celtics are now in the driver's seat after winning Game 3 on their home court and taking a 2-1 series lead over the Golden State Warriors.
Golden State made things interesting after another third-quarter frenzy, but the Celtics' defense picked it up in the fourth quarter and held the Warriors to only 11 points.
Both teams have been impressive in their own special ways, and all three games have been winnable for the losing side. I think Boston is clearly the better team at this point, but I would not be surprised if the Warriors came out and blitzed the Celtics tonight.
Also, I complained about the 9 p.m. EST tip-off for Game 3, and I am once again complaining about Game 4. But we are not here to talk about that right now. Let's get straight into the best bets for Game 4 of the NBA Finals. We would love for you to tail our best bets, we just ask that you do so responsibly.
*Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook
Pickwatch Experts:
Moneyline: 61% Celtics
Spread: 60% Celtics
Panic Time For Golden State?
In my blog for Game 3, I once again gave out the Warriors, and I said if one of Klay Thompson or Draymond Green has a big game, there is no chance Golden State doesn't find a way to win.
Well, Thompson put up 25 points, and even though Stephen Curry continued to shine, the Celtics held Golden State to just 11 points in the fourth quarter, and they lost by 16 points. Curry did get his ankle rolled up on late in the game, but he is expected to go tonight.
Even though Thomspon had his first good game of the Finals, the Celtics just looked like the superior team. I find it hard to believe that the Warriors are just going to roll over and die, but the Warriors' defense looked so lost in Game 3, giving up 52 points in the paint, and they had a defensive rating of 122. Now that the Celtics are fully healthy, the Warriors just simply have to get better on defense.
Only Otto Porter Jr. and Andre Iguodala are listed as questionable for this game, and with Curry banged up, things are starting to look bleak for Golden State. Now, this is still one of the NBA's best road teams, and all three games so far in the Finals have been very winnable.
Luck Of The Irish:
I think we can comfortably say that the Boston Celtics are just the better team in this matchup. They are healthy, and in their two wins, they had to survive third-quarter explosions from the Warriors. The Celtics are -45 in the third quarter this postseason, but they have dominated every other quarter.
I have said this for a while now, but Boston is one of my favorite teams to bet on for multiple reasons. First of all, they win a lot more than they lose, and secondly, they are just a fun team to watch. Not trying to diss the Warriors here, but Boston looks like they try harder, and they play more as a team.
Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown have been incredible, and I think we can put to bed the narrative that those two cannot win together.
Robert Williams is listed as questionable, but he was solid in Game 3 with eight points and 10 rebounds, but Williams makes his money disrupting in the paint on defense and grabbing offensive rebounds. Three of Williams' 10 rebounds came on the offensive end, and Boston scored 22 second-chance points.
Boston has all of the momentum, and this game is on their home court. All signs are pointing towards the Celtics to win Game 4, and take a 3-1 series lead.
The Pick:
Again, Boston should be the play here, but they have been terrible after wins in the playoffs. The Celtics are 7-7 SU as well as ATS after a win in the postseason, and on the other side, Golden State is 5-0 after a loss in the playoffs.
I have bet on Golden State in every game of this series, and when I woke up today, I was fully prepared to take Boston. However, I cannot get over how bad Boston is after a win, and how good the Warriors are after a loss. Golden State is 6-3 ATS in their last nine, and even though they are 1-6-1 ATS in their last eight against the Warriors, I think Golden State is the play here.
As I said earlier, Golden State has had a shot to win every game in this series, and with Thompson having his first big game of the series, I like Golden State to cook in this one. I am also taking a peek at the under, but we are backing the Warriors once again.
Pick: Warriors +4 (-112) & Under 214 (-110)
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