The Boston Celtics try to keep their season alive when they host the Golden State Warriors Thursday at TD Garden Arena for Game 6 of the NBA Finals. Tip-off is scheduled for 9 p.m. ET (ABC) with Golden State leading the best-of-7 series 3-2. Below, we look at the Warriors vs. Celtics Game 6 odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
Golden State can win its 4th NBA title in 8 years after Monday’s 104-94 home win in Game 5.
The Celtics lost by double digits despite grabbing 8 more rebounds than the Warriors (47-39), hitting 2 additional 3-pointers (11-9), attempting 16 more free throws (31-15) and holding PG Steph Curry to a series-worst 16 points on 31.8% shooting (0-for-9 from behind the arc).
The Warriors are 3-2 against the spread (ATS) in this series, but they’ve split the “four factors” with the Celtics and the total is 2-3 Over/Under (O/U).
More Game 6 coverage:
Warriors at Celtics odds and lines
- Money line: Warriors +140 (bet $100 to win $140) | Celtics -175 (bet $175 to win $100)
- Against the spread: Warriors +3.5 (-105) | Celtics -3.5 (-120)
- Over/Under: 209.5 (O: -112 | U: -108)
Warriors at Celtics key injuries
Celtics
- C Robert Williams III (knee) questionable
Warriors
- F Andre Iguodala (knee) questionable
- SF Otto Porter Jr. (foot) questionable
Warriors at Celtics picks and predictions
Prediction
Warriors 109, Celtics 102
Money line
SPRINKLE on the WARRIORS (+140) with the plan of hitting Golden State’s spread harder. Generally, the spread doesn’t come into play and the team that covers the spread also usually wins the game outright.
But I have a hunch the spread could come into play in Games 6 and 7 (if necessary). By taking Golden State plus the points, there could be a “middle” or “hedge” opportunity by betting Boston in-game if the Warriors get up big early.
Golden State is the right side because Boston’s half-court offense has been rife with mistakes in this series. The Celtics’ clumsy ball security was an issue again in Game 5 as Boston committed 12 more turnovers than the Warriors (18-6).
The bottom line is it feels like the Celtics are out of moves. Boston’s half-court offense consists of setting screens for either SF Jayson Tatum and SG Jaylen Brown in hopes of getting them 1-on-1 with a smaller defender. The thing is Tatum and Brown keep turning the ball over in those scenarios.
Tatum infamously broke the record for the most turnovers committed in a postseason during Game 5. Boston’s 2 All-Star wings typically settle for long, contested 2-pointers since the Celtics don’t have a true floor general to help generate quality looks for the offense.
Due to officiating, a possible hot-3-point shooting night from the Celtics or an off-shooting night by the Warriors, Golden State’s spread is the sharper play.
But SPRINKLE on the WARRIORS (+140) to close out the NBA Finals in Boston.