Celtics vs. Warriors Game 2 NBA Finals Picks: Golden State Still Favored After Loss

The Boston Celtics are looking to drive a stake into the heart of the Golden State Warriors by sweeping both road games to open the series. Read on for our Celtics-Warriors Game 2 picks and predictions.

The Celtics shocked the Warriors in Game 1 with their fourth-quarter onslaught to stake out an early lead in the NBA Finals. How will an experienced Golden State group respond to these unlikely circumstances in Game 2?

Read on for our picks and predictions for Sunday's NBA Finals Game 2 matchup between the Celtics and Warriors (odds via DraftKings Sportsbook; pick confidence based on a 1-to-5-star scale).

Celtics vs. Warriors Game Info

Date/Time: Sunday, June 5, 8 p.m. ETTV: ABCLocation: Chase Center, San Francisco, CA

Celtics vs. Warriors Odds Analysis

Is this a trap game? The Warriors opened at -4, but the spread hasn't moved despite a massive 91% of the money wagered riding with Golden State (77% of tickets). The Warriors are 50-45-4 against the spread this season, with the Celtics at an impressive 56-42-3 ATS.

The total opened at an aggressive 216 before dipping to 215.5 at DraftKings. The Celtics are a completely even 50-50-1 on Overs this season. The Warriors are 46-51-2 on Overs for the year.

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Celtics vs. Warriors Picks

Warriors -4 (-110) ?????Over 215.5 (-110) ????Draymond Green Over 8.5 points (-110) ????

Celtics vs. Warriors Predictions

Warriors -4 (-110)

The Warriors were the favorites to win the NBA Finals entering the series. The Celtics stunned Golden State with their 40-16 effort in the fourth quarter of Game 1, but how much should that isolated event influence our views of this matchup moving forward? We have to stay anchored to the tenants of a larger sample size.

Golden State is 27-19-2 ATS as a home favorite this season. The Warriors are even more dominant in terms of outright record as a home favorite, at 38-10 this season. They were embarrassed by how Game 1 concluded on their home floor. A four-point spread isn't nearly enough to account for the degree to which this experienced group will look to compensate for Thursday's mishap. I'm happily laying the points here as a five-star play.

Over 215.5 (-110)

Game 1 obliterated this number despite Golden State managing just 16 points in the fourth quarter. The Warriors had trouble containing a steady drumbeat of the various Celtics that possess scoring prowess, allowing Boston to reach 120 points. I don't think the Celtics do that again, but they won't need to with the way I anticipate Golden State's offense to thrive.

This game is going Over the total, as the sharpshooting Warriors will dial things in at home en route to a vintage GSW scoring effort. In a script that sees points for both sides, I like something in the range of 117-110 to push this score Over easily.

Green Over 8.5 points (-110)

Though Draymond Green isn't a primary scoring threat for the Warriors, he's usually going to pour in more than the four points he scored in Game 1. Given the general expectation for the Warriors to elevate their game offensively to avoid a 2-0 deficit, Green figures to play more of a scoring role on Sunday.

Though he averaged just 7.5 points per game on the season, he's cleared this scoring total in five of his last seven games. The team is at its best when Draymond is contributing in several areas of the box score. I'm looking for him to have a strong game, with a taste on his +360 double-double price looking rather attractive, too.

Where to Bet on Celtics-Warriors Picks

Here are our top-rated sportsbooks:

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Celtics-Warriors picks made 6/4/2022 at 6:09 p.m. ET