Game 5 of the 2022 NBA Finals is scheduled for 9 p.m. ET at Chase Center between the Celtics and Warriors. Before placing any wagers for tonight’s game, we’ll give you all the betting insight you need to know, including the latest odds, trends, and predictions.
Golden State tied up the series 2-2 with a 107-97 win over Boston in Game 4 on Friday. Steph Curry led the way for Golden State with 43 points on an efficient 14-of-26 shooting from the field and 7-of-14 from three-point range. This is a pivotal game for both teams, as whoever wins Game 5 has the inside track to close out the series later this week. Golden State is 3-1 in its past four Game 5s in the NBA Finals.
Celtics vs. Warriors: Odds, betting trends for NBA Finals Game 5
- Spread: Warriors -4
- Over/under: 211.5
- Moneyline: Celtics +140, Warriors -167
Betting odds per Vegas Insider consensus
The Warriors and Celtics have been outstanding throughout this year’s playoffs following a loss. Boston is 7-0 and will try to make it 8-0 tonight after failing to win back-to-back home games since the first round. Golden State, however, has been great at home in the playoffs with a 10-1 record.
3 betting trends to watch
Will Jayson Tatum show up in the second half?
If the Celtics want to win the NBA Finals, they will need Tatum to play a full four quarters of basketball. The first-team All-NBA forward has struggled offensively against the Warriors, shooting 34.1 percent from the field. However, he’s shooting 45.2 percent from three-point range on 7.8 attempts per game. The Celtics need him to be more efficient inside the arc, where the team has also struggled with in the Finals (27 percent on long two-pointers). Furthermore, when the game advances to the second half, Tatum is shooting 26.5 percent from the field and 25 percent in the fourth quarter, which is a cause for concern. Tatum’s over/under for points in Game 5 is 26.5. He should be able to hit the OVER, but it won’t be easy.
Can Golden State win the rebounding battle?
In the two games the Warriors have won in this series, they’ve done an exceptional job of rebounding. In Game 4, Golden State crushed Boston 55-42, with Andrew Wiggins leading the way with 16 rebounds. Kevon Looney had 11 rebounds off the bench, and Curry added 10 boards.
When you have three players with 10 or more rebounds, there’s a good chance you'll win the game. The Warriors didn’t win the rebounding battle in Game 2, but they kept it close against the Celtics (43-42). However, in Boston’s two wins, it outrebounded Golden State by eight rebounds per game. It will be imperative for the Warriors to be competitive on the glass in a pivotal Game 5.
What can Curry do for an encore in Game 5?
Curry is now the favorite to win NBA Finals MVP at -140 odds after an electrifying 43-point performance in Game 4. The superstar point guard has put the Warriors on his back in the Finals, averaging 34.3 points per game on 49.8 percent shooting from the field and 49.1 percent from beyond the arc.
The 34-year-old Curry has scored 30 or more points in three out of four games in the Finals. It would not be a surprise to see him go OVER his points prop (30.5) in Game 5 as Curry looks to be on a mission.
Celtics vs. Warriors Game 5: Expert betting picks
Against the spread
Warriors -4. Throughout this series, the team that lost the previous game has won the next game. Therefore, the obvious choice against the spread would be the Celtics, who are 17-10 ATS as a road underdog this season.
However, that trend will be snapped tonight with Golden State covering the spread and winning. The core of Steph Curry, Draymond Green, Kevon Looney and Klay Thompson have historically played well in Game 5s in the NBA Finals under Steve Kerr. Additionally, the Warriors are 5-1 ATS in their past six games as a favorite.
Over/Under
UNDER 213.5. The under (213.5) hit in Game 4 thanks to a defensive clinic from the Warriors and poor shooting from the Celtics. Golden State outscored Boston 17-3 and held Boston to 1-of-8 shooting in the last five minutes of the fourth quarter.
That game script will likely not play out for Game 5, but we should see both teams bring that intensity on defense. The total has gone under twice in this series at 213.5. It’s tough to see the under hitting tonight, especially with the total dropping two points (211.5). All you need is a couple of free throws to go down late for the total to go over.
Player prop
Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook
Klay Thompson OVER 3.5 threes made (+102). Thompson appears to be rounding into shape after not shooting well in the first two games of the NBA Finals. In Game 4, the veteran sharpshooter had 18 points on 7-of-17 shooting from the field and 4-of-10 from three-point range. If you take a look at what he did in Game 3, Thompson had 25 points on 7-of-17 shooting from the field and 5-of-13 from beyond the arc. He did not have double-digit three-point attempts in Games 1 or 2.
The Warriors need him to continue to take his shots from deep as Curry commands a ton of attention. At plus-money odds, Thompson can make more than 3.5 threes, which he’s done in three out of his past five playoff games.