Warriors vs. Celtics Game 3: Prediction, Odds, Time, 2022 NBA Finals Preview

The Golden State Warriors and Boston Celtics are tied at 1-1 heading into Game 3 of the 2022 NBA Finals. Following the Warriors’ dominant Game 2 victory, the Celtics are favored to take the series lead at home.

Boston is a 3.5-point favorite over Golden State in Game 3 on Wednesday night, according to the latest odds at FanDuel Sportsbook. The Celtics have -154 odds to win outright. The Warriors are +130 underdogs.

Game 3 has a betting total of 212.5 and a 9 p.m. ET start time at TD Garden in Boston.

The Celtics won the series opener by outscoring the Warriors 40-16 on nine three-pointers in the fourth quarter. In Game 2, Golden State pulled away with a 21-point advantage in the third quarter.

Stephen Curry has been the best player in the series through two games. The Warriors star is averaging 31.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game. Curry is 12-of-26 from three-point range. The point guard has scored at least 12 more points than any other Golden State player in each Finals game.

It was Curry and Golden State’s defense that led the way in Game 2. The Celtics committed 18 turnovers and made eight fewer three-pointers than they did in Game 1.

Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are both averaging at least 20 points per game in the NBA Finals. Tatum is shooting an abysmal 29.9% from the field, but he had 13 assists in Game 1 and made six three-pointers in Game 2. Brown’s fourth-quarter offense sparked Boston’s comeback in the opener.

Both of the Celtics’ stars should have big nights in Game 3. After Marcus Smart and Al Horford combined for just four points in Game 2 after totaling 44 points in Game 1. They should be much better in front of their home crowd Wednesday.

On the road against the NBA’s No. 1 defense, the Warriors will have a difficult time winning if Curry is the only reliable option on offense. Klay Thompson remains inconsistent, averaging 13.0 points on 16.5 field-goal attempts through two games. Jordan Poole has scored fewer than 18 points in five straight games. Maybe Andrew Wiggins can step up in Game 3, though he missed eight of his 12 shots in Game 2.

Golden State played like it had more to lose in Game 2. Now that the series is tied and headed back to Boston, the Celtics’ defense and deeper roster should be the difference in Game 3.

Game 3 Prediction: Celtics over Warriors, 105-97