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The Boston Celtics and Golden State Warriors get together for a pivotal and high-profile matchup on Wednesday evening. The Celtics and Warriors square off in Game 3 of the 2022 NBA Finals, with the best-of-seven series tied at 1-1. Boston upset Golden State in the series opener to steal home-court advantage, with the Warriors victorious in blowout fashion in Game 2. The Celtics will now aim to keep Golden State from extending an NBA record streak of 26 playoff series with at least one road win.

Caesars Sportsbook lists Boston as a 3.5-point home favorite, and tip-off is scheduled for 9 p.m. ET. The total number of points Vegas thinks will be scored, or the Over-Under, is 214 in the latest Celtics vs. Warriors odds. Before you make any NBA predictions with the Warriors vs. Celtics match-up, be sure to see the NBA Finals 2022 predictions and betting advice from SportsLine's proven computer model. 

The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past three-plus seasons. The model enters the second week of the 2022 NBA Finals on a stunning 88-60 roll on all top-rated NBA picks, returning over $2,100. Anyone following it has seen huge returns.

Now, the model has locked in its Warriors vs. Celtics picks and NBA playoff predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model's picks. Here are several NBA odds and betting trends for Celtics vs. Warriors:

  • Warriors vs. Celtics spread: Celtics -3.5
  • Warriors vs. Celtics over-under: 214
  • Warriors vs. Celtics money line: Celtics -150, Warriors +130
  • Warriors vs. Celtics tickets: See tickets at StubHub
  • GSW: The Celtics are 13-7 against the spread in playoff games
  • BOS: The Warriors are 10-8 against the spread in playoff games

Why the Celtics can cover

Though Game 2 was not friendly to Boston, the Celtics have plenty of encouraging metrics to bank on at this stage. Boston is shooting 46.2 percent from three-point range in the series, with the Celtics producing a 58.0 percent true shooting mark in the entire postseason. The Celtics are averaging 24.7 assists per game in the playoffs, generating an assist on 66.7 percent of field goals. Boston is also taking full advantage of the free-throw line, averaging 23.5 attempts per game and shooting 80.9 percent at the charity stripe.

Jayson Tatum is a star-level creator, averaging 26.3 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 6.1 assists per game, and Boston's defense is tremendous. The Celtics are holding opponents to less than 1.06 points per possession in the postseason after leading the NBA in defensive efficiency during the regular season. Boston's opponents are shooting only 43.4 percent from the field and 32.9 percent from three-point range in the playoffs, and the Celtics are giving up only 20.5 assists per game to postseason opponents.

Why the Warriors can cover

Golden State's Game 2 win was keyed by its defense, with the Warriors holding the Celtics to less than 0.9 points per possession on Sunday. However, the Warriors are uber-elite on offense, as evidenced by this series and the entire 2022 NBA playoffs. Golden State is shooting 41.5 percent from three-point range in the series, and the Warriors are also securing 29 percent of missed shots on the offensive glass. Stephen Curry is blistering right now, averaging 31.5 points per game and shooting 46 percent from three-point distance.

In the full postseason, the Warriors have the best offensive rating in the NBA, scoring nearly 1.16 points per possession. Golden State is averaging 27.9 assists per game and 1.91 assists for every turnover, producing an assist on 66.5 percent of field goals. The Warriors are also grabbing 28.3 percent of available offensive rebounds, and Golden State is shooting 48.8 percent from the field and 38.3 percent from three-point range. The Warriors also led the NBA in assist rate (66.9 percent) during the regular season, with top-five marks in assists per game, three-pointers per game, and two-point accuracy.

How to make Celtics vs. Warriors picks

SportsLine's model is leaning under on the point total. The model also says one side of the spread hits in well over 50 percent of simulations. You can only get that NBA Finals pick at SportsLine.

So who wins Warriors vs. Celtics? And which side of the spread hits in well over 50 percent of simulations? Visit SportsLine now to find out which side of the spread you need to jump on, all from the model that has crushed its NBA picks, and find out.