The Golden State Warriors are one win away from capturing the franchise’s seven NBA titles and fourth in the last eight years.
Golden State defending its home floor with a 104-94 victory over the Celtics to push Boston to a Game 6 win or go home scenario. If the Celtics take Game 6, the series will return to the Bay Area for Game 7.
Thursday’s scheduled tipoff is at 9 p.m. EST inside TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. Boston is a four-point betting favorite, with the over-under total at 210.5 points.
What to Know – Golden State Warriors
Stephen Curry and the Warriors are one win away from another NBA championship and fourth under the coaching of Steve Kerr. Golden State knocked off Boston at home in Game 4, but the Warriors are 2-6 ATS in their last eight road contests.
Curry continues to light up the scoreboard, averaging 27.0 points per game in the postseason. Game 5 belonged to Andrew Wiggins, however, with the forward erupting for 26 points and 13 rebounds. Klay Thompson chipped in 21 points, hitting 50% of his shots from the field and 5-of-11 from deep.
The Warriors pour in 112.3 points per game, hitting 48.4% of their shots from the field and 37.3% from the 3-point line. Golden State’s defense limits opponents to 105.5 points per contest, 43.8% shooting from the floor, and 33.9% shooting from the arc.
What to Know – Boston Celtics
Boston faces elimination for the third time this postseason, so this position is nothing new to them. The Celtics took games six and seven from Milwaukee and defeated Miami in seven games. A win on Thursday and the Celtics are a victory away from taking home the team’s 18th NBA title.
Jayson Tatum bounced back after struggling offensively to pace the Celtics in scoring with 27 in the Game 5 loss. Tatum’s been averaging a team-high 26.2 points in the postseason. Marcus Smart added 20 points, picking up the offensive slack for Jaylon Brown, who scored 18 points but hit only 5-of-18 shots from the field and was 0-5 shooting from three.
The Celtics score 106.2 points per game, making 45.0% of its shots from the floor and 37.3% from three. Boston’s defense allows 104.5 points per game, 43.4% shooting from the field and 33.9% from beyond the arc.
The Pick is In
All five of the NBA Finals contests have ended in double-digit victories. Boston suffered back-to-back losses for the first time this postseason and now have to win out to claim the title. Golden State, who’s played well on the road this postseason, can end it all with a Game 6 victory on Thursday.
The series has been rather underwhelming with the finishes, but these two teams have battled it out over the first five games. The NBA loves suspense, and a Game 7 at Golden State would provide that.
Boston had a slow start in Game 5, mustering up just 16 points in the first stanza; that changes Thursday night, and the Celtics jump out early and take Game 6.
Betting Pick: Boston Celtics -4
