The two-time defending champion Golden State Warriors might be the odds on favorite to claim their third straight title, but the Dubs are a bit desperate after splitting their last four games. Things are even more serious for a Boston Celtics team that entered the season as the odds on favorites to win the Eastern Conference, but has underachieved all season long.
Now, with both teams looking to finish the regular season with a flourish, let’s find out whether the Dubs can cover the chalk as decisive home favorites or whether the C’s are a better pick as a road dog.
Celtics vs Warriors NBA Betting Odds, Predictions & Pick
This west coast trip might be just what the doctor ordered for the team to put this rough patch behind them and focus on coming together. pic.twitter.com/Q04wjHKY0U
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) 5 de marzo de 2019
- When: Tuesday, March 5, 2019 at 10:30 PM ET
- Where: Oracle Arena, Oakland, CA
- TV: TNT
- Radio: Boston / Golden State
- Live Stream: NBA League Pass
- NBA Odds: Golden State -9 / Total: 229.5
Why Bet On Boston at +9?
The best reasons to back Boston are because the Celtics have an elite defense that limits the opposition to just 106.8 points per game to rank an encouraging fifth in points allowed. Boston should also be highly motivated because they’re playing the Warriors and are desperate to get on track after losing five of their last six games including a humbling 115-104 spanking at the hands of James Harden and the Houston Rockets on Sunday.
“Right now, unfortunately, we are going through a really bad stretch,” center Al Horford told reporters. “This is when our group, we need to make sure that we stay together and even closer because I know it’s hard. We’re the first ones that don’t want to lose, but we need to continue to work because we feel like we can be better than this.”
Boston got 24 points, nine boards and six assists from Kyrie Irving in the loss, but the Celtics allowed Harden to go off for a game-high 42 points in the loss.
Team Statistics
Offense:- Average Score For: 111.95
- Field Goals: 46.27%
- Three Points: 36.39%
- Free Throws: 80.99%
- Rebounds: 44.94
- Average Score Against: 106.75
- Field Goals: 44.47%
- Three Points: 34.10%
- Free Throws: 75.95%
- Rebounds: 45.64
Why Bet On Golden State at -9?
The best reason to back the Dubs is that they are playing at home where they’ve gone 23-8 so far this season, plus the warriors are desperate to improve their play down the stretch. Golden State head coach Steve Kerr has been trying to find a balance of resting his players down the stretch and still trying to win games.
Golden State managed to get past Philadelphia 120-117 on Saturday as Kevin Durant scored a game-high 34 points and Steph Curry added 28 points while draining several big shots in the fourth quarter, prompting his teammates to speak about his greatness.
“I still think he doesn’t really get the respect he deserves,” forward Andre Iguodala told reporters of Curry. “Guys think he uses a lot of screens and guys think they can draw mismatches with him defensively, but he’s a real problem. I think I told (forward Kevin Durant), he said he missed me on the shot he took, and I said, ‘Y’all two are like Michael Jordan, there’s no such thing as a bad shot.’ That’s for real, and people don’t understand the presence they bring to the court. Especially on the offensive end.”
The Warriors lead the league in scoring by averaging 118.6 points while also ranking first in field goal shooting percentage (48.9%).
Team Statistics
Offense:- Average Score For: 118.59
- Field Goals: 48.91%
- Three Points: 38.09%
- Free Throws: 80.75%
- Rebounds: 46.22
- Average Score Against: 112.13
- Field Goals: 44.81%
- Three Points: 35.11%
- Free Throws: 76.90%
- Rebounds: 43.97
Celtics vs Warriors NBA Betting Trends
- Boston is 1-4 ATS in the last 5 games
- Boston is 1-5 SU in the last 6 games
- The total went UNDER in 5 of Boston’s last 6 games
- Golden State is 1-9 ATS in the last 10 games
- Golden State is 19-5 SU in the last 24 games
- The total went UNDER in 4 of Golden State’s last 5 games
Expert Analysis and Prediction for Celtics vs Warriors
I know the Boston Celtics aren’t playing well at all right now and that they just suffered a double-digit loss to Houston the last time out, but I believe the C’s are going to bring their collective ‘A’ games to give Golden State a tough way to go in this one – before eventually falling to the two-time defending champs.
I know the Celtics are an ugly 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games against their Western Conference counterparts and just 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games overall, but the Warriors are an uninspiring 7-18-1 ATS in their last 26 home games, 1-5 ATS in their last 6 against teams from the Eastern Conference and a dismal 1-9 ATS in their last 10 games overall. I like the Dubs to get the home win in this one, but the ATS cover goes to a Celtics team that is 5-0 ATS in their last five meetings against the Warriors.
NBA Betting Pick: Golden State 116 Boston 110
