The Boston Celtics meet the Golden State Warriors Monday for a pivotal Game 5 of the NBA Finals at Chase Center. Tip-off is set for 9 p.m. ET (ABC) and the best-of-7 series is tied 2-2. Below, we look at the Celtics vs. Warriors Game 5 odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
Golden State ground out a 107-97 Game 4 victory Friday in Boston thanks to an all-time performance from PG Stephen Curry, who scored a series-high 43 points on 53.8% shooting (7-for-14 from 3) with 10 rebounds and 4 assists. The Warriors dominated the glass, outrebounding the Celtics 55-42.
Boston All-Star SF Jayson Tatum was extremely passive in the 2nd half of Game 4 and had the worst net rating (minus-22) of the Celtics’ starting 5.
Each team is 2-2 against the spread (ATS) in this series, but Boston is winning 3 of the 4 factors. The Over/Under (O/U) is 2-2.
Also see: Bet Slippin’ Podcast: NBA Finals Game 5 betting breakdown
Celtics at Warriors odds and lines
- Money line: Celtics +135 (bet $100 to win $135) | Warriors -170 (bet $170 to win $100)
- Against the spread: Celtics +4.5 (-120) | Warriors -4.5 (-105)
- Over/Under: 211.5 (O: -112 | U: -108)
Celtics at Warriors key injuries
Warriors
- F Andre Iguodala (knee) questionable
- SF Otto Porter Jr. (foot) questionable
Celtics
- C Robert Williams III (knee) questionable
Celtics at Warriors picks and predictions
Prediction
Warriors 111, Celtics 102
Money line
PASS with a heavy “lean” to the Warriors (-170) but will opt for Golden State’s cheaper spread instead.
The Warriors are 39-10 straight up (SU) as home favorites with a plus-10.8 margin of victory and 16-6 SU on 2-3 days of rest with a plus-7.3 margin of victory. The Celtics (+135) are 10-17 SU as road underdogs and 14-8 SU on 2-3 days of rest.
Golden State has the best player in this series and generates cleaner looks on offense. Boston’s lack of a true point guard and ball-handler leads to squandered possessions via turnovers or the Celtics settling for long, contested 2-pointers.
Warriors All-Star SF Andrew Wiggins is locking up Tatum. Wiggins has been the best 2-way player in the Finals. He grabbed a career-best 16 rebounds in Game 4 and is on Tatum like glue. Tatum is shooting just 33.3% from the field when guarded by Wiggins.
However, the Golden State (-170) is just a little out of my price range.
PASS.