Follow our live coverage of Game 1 of the NBA Finals
Golden State has waited a week since Dallas was fired, and Boston is just days away from winning Game 7 in Miami. Will the extra rest help the warriors become fresher, or will it cause some early rust?
BetMGM took the Golden State by 3.5 points over the Celtics in Game 1, and all of our experts chose the Warriors to win the NBA Finals opening game Thursday night at Chase Center.
It is also preferred that the Warriors win the series. How will you play this match?
What time is Warriors vs. Celtics 1 game?
time: Thursday, 9 p.m. (Eastern time)
Channel: ABC (streaming on ESPN app)
During the NBA playoffs, the athleteTheir writers will make their own direct choices. You’ll find selections, coverage, and the latest possibilities here. Our in-depth coverage of the NBA is linked below to the selections. For live NBA odds from BetMGM, click here.
NBA Finals schedule
Game 1: Celtics at Warriors | Thursday 2 June | 9 p.m. Eastern time
Game 2: Celtics at Warriors | Sunday 5 June | 8 p.m. Eastern time
The third game: Warriors in the Celtics | Wednesday, June 8 | 9 p.m. Eastern time
Fourth game: Warriors in the Celtics | Friday 10 June | 9 p.m. Eastern time
5* game: Celtics at Warriors | Monday 13th June | 9 p.m. Eastern time
6* game: Warriors in the Celtics | Thursday 16 June | 9 p.m. Eastern time
Game 7 *: Celtics at Warriors | Sunday 19 June | 8 p.m. Eastern time
What are the odds of winning Warriors vs. Celtics 1 game?
| Team | Spread | sum | money line |
|---|---|---|---|
|
+140 |
|||
|
-3.5 |
212.5 |
-165 |
Warriors vs. Celtics Game 1 preview
Unstoppable force, satisfying fixed things. Golden State, the vanguard of the current NBA era of high-flying, free-shooting, running and fun, will meet the Celtics, a throwback to the tough, elbow-sharp, tough Eastern eras and lectures of the past. They will decide the address. Let’s get busy.
Except, HushHere’s a secret: The Warriors are the second best defensive team in the league this season, just half a point behind Boston in the defensive rankings. With Draymond Green, Golden State can close half of its playing field with the best. The Celtics have been a more effective offense than Golden State this season. Behind Jason Tatum, they were more than a full spot in terms of ratings.
Usually before the finals, we wonder which team will determine the style most effectively. If a team forces a game into their hands, they usually win. In that case, do we even know what kind of game each of these teams prefers?
On paper, the Celtics have a huge advantage in size, with a strong front yard full of players that appears as wide as they are tall. And this kind of team traditionally wants to hit the paint. Warriors, on paper, can shoot all three, and this type of team usually wants to spread the field and attract the big ones.
But Boston over the past two series have reduced their lineup to a seven-deep turnover, and they’re already battling against declining return injuries. The warriors found themselves in some trouble when the power-deficient Mavericks found a way to shoot them from the depths. Maybe the paper is worthless.
History says the Warriors, winners of three titles since 2015, outsmart the rookie Celtics. They’ve made it to the finals in six of the past eight seasons for a reason. But the Celtics are no slouch. They’ve been solidified on a more challenging track with the East Qualifiers.
Golden State has an advantage. But something we can’t see yet – some twists of fate, a bit of kismet beyond science – will decide this series.
Warriors vs. Celtics experts’ picks and predictions for Game 1
| clerk | straight choice |
|---|---|
|
Andrew Schlicht |
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Jason Jones |
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Richard Deitch |
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Michael Beller |
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Dave Dufour |
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James Edwards III |
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|
Moyal Gold |
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Sam Vicini |
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|
cole hoof |
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|
Mike Vokonov |
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