A couple wins to end the last series, and wipe a portion of Game 6 losses.
2.5* Boston +142 (series) I'd play this larger, except the Warriors home court advantage means something. The Celtics played pretty well on the road vs. the Nets, Bucks and Heat...so maybe not much of an advantage. Maybe though the Celtics are really, really happy just to be in the finals, and have a letdown(I doubt it).
If Curry, Poole, Thompson, or 2 of the 3 go off like crazy hitting unbelievable 3s, the Celtics have little chance of winning. But Boston has been really good at switching out at the perimeter and making opponents work hard for an open shot. The Dubs have the advantage in outside shooting, but with that comes some iffy defense- Poole and Klay Thompson, and even Curry, are not exactly good defenders. Smart and quick hands, but not stoppers.
Boston will appreciate the 3 days off, especially since the Heat and Buck series were so physical, and they never had two days off in a row. Both teams have good depth. The Warriors have more experience, the Celtics have the better defense. I think once the series is played, will it be said that the better D won(Boston), or the more experienced team won (Warriors)? Who played better opponents to get to the finals? The Dubs played a one man team in Denver, a Ja Morant-less Grizzly team that gave them a tough series, and a Dallas team that was also playing small ball. And with Doncic taking on too much of the offense and playing poor defense. Boston never got blown out in any one game, have the younger legs, and no championship in the past to rest their laurels on.
Gonna be a great series. Enjoy.
1* Boston +3.5. (Game 1) The Celtics could come out shaky 1st half, feeling like they went through hell just getting to the Finals.