Bet on Celtics vs. Warriors Game 1 With BetMGM for $1,000 Risk-Free

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The NBA Finals will start on Thursday night when the visiting Boston Celtics clash with the Golden State Warriors. Coverage on ABC begins at 9 p.m. ET from Chase Center. 

The Warriors defeated the Dallas Mavericks in five games in the Western Conference Finals. The Celtics outlasted the Miami Heat in seven games in the Eastern Conference Finals. 

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Updated on 03/29/2024
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The Warriors are making their sixth appearance in the NBA Finals in the last eight years, the first occurrence since the Chicago Bulls from 1991-98. This is the first trip to the NBA Finals for the Celtics since the 2009-10 season when they were defeated in seven games by the Los Angeles Lakers. The Celtics are tied with the Lakers for the most championships in league history (17), while the Warriors possess four titles since relocating to California

Warriors superstar Stephen Curry was selected as the inaugural Western Conference Finals MVP. Curry is averaging 25.1 points in his last 10 postseason contests. In his first postseason since the 2018-19 campaign, Warriors superstar Klay Thompson is averaging 19.8 points and 4.3 rebounds. Upstart guard Jordan Poole is producing 18.4 points and 4.5 assists in the playoffs. 

Celtics superstar Jayson Tatum was chosen as the first Eastern Conference Finals MVP. Tatum has converted an average of 3.2 3-pointers over the last 10 postseason games. Celtics All-Star Jaylen Brown is tallying 22.9 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.2 steals in the postseason. 

Starters Marcus Smart (multiple injuries to his right leg) and Robert Williams (left knee soreness) have been in and out of the lineup but are both on track to play for the Celtics in Game 1. Meanwhile, Warriors reserves Otto Porter Jr. (left foot soreness), Gary Payton II (elbow), and Andre Iguodala (leg and neck injuries) are questionable for Game 1. 

The Warriors are favored by 3.5 points vs. the Celtics in Game 1. The Warriors are 5-1 against the spread in their last six contests. The Celtics are 6-3 against the spread in their last nine games. The Celtics are also 8-1 against the spread in their last nine road contests and 7-3 against the spread in their last 10 matchups vs. the Warriors. 

The over/under is set for 211 points for Game 1. This is the first NBA Finals matchup between the league’s top two defenses in terms of efficiency since the Chicago Bulls vs. the then-Seattle Supersonics in 1996, according to ESPN. The total has gone UNDER in eight of the last 10 contests between the Warriors and Celtics. The Celtics are averaging 109 points on 46 percent overall shooting and 36 percent from the 3-point line in the playoffs. With the green Celtics taking the NBA Finals stage for the first time vs. a feisty Warriors defense, count on the UNDER to hold serve. 

The Warriors are 9-0 SU and 7-2 against the spread at home during the postseason, while averaging 118 points on 50 percent overall shooting and 41 percent from beyond the arc. The Warriors will earn a SU victory and win the ATS odds in Game 1.

Written by Rolando Rosa, our US sports betting industry expert.