Opening 2022 NBA Finals Series Odds – Warriors Open as -160 Favorites to Defeat Celtics

• The Golden State Warriors and Boston Celtics will matchup in the 2022 NBA Finals
• Golden State is -160 favorites to win the series at FanDuel
• Where does the series betting value lie?

The Golden State Warriors are favored in NBA Championship odds over the Boston Celtics ahead of the 2022 Finals.

Boston saw off the Miami Heat in a dramatic Game 7 on Sunday night to win the Eastern Conference for the first time since 2010, while the Warriors only needed five games to eliminate the Dallas Mavericks in the Western Conference Finals.

2022 NBA Finals Series Odds

Odds as of May 30 at FanDuel Sportsbook

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Warriors Favored for Sixth Finals Appearance in Eight Years

This is a sixth Finals appearance in eight years for the Golden State Warriors. Steve Kerr’s team have proved that the dynasty extends beyond the Kevin Durant era, with Steph Curry, Draymond Green and Klay Thompson surrounded by a new-look supporting cast, headlined by Andrew Wiggins and Jordan Poole. The Dubs have been favored in each of their five previous Finals appearances, winning three of those series.

Cleveland made history with its 2016 comeback, inspired by otherworldly play from LeBron James and Kyrie Irving. Toronto was +225 series underdogs in 2019, but injuries to Durant and then Thompson helped swing the series in favor of the Raptors. Golden State has far better depth now than it did then, however.

Klay missed the last two seasons because of injury

now, he's back in the NBA Finals pic.twitter.com/6eL5FGOFDm

— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) May 27, 2022

This Golden State team wasn’t dominant in the regular season like 2015-16, nor is it at such a talent advantage like the Durant iterations. They have rest in their favor, though, and have had a more straight-forward run to the Finals than the Celtics, who have been taken to seven games in each of the last two series.

Celtics Will Tempt Bettors

Boston has had its dodgy moments this postseason, including nearly choking Game 7 on Sunday. Jayson Tatum has endured a couple of 10-point nights, and their offense has occasionally slipped back to its old ways. Robert Williams III remains a major injury concern, Marcus Smart is banged up, and Grant Williams struggled in the Conference Finals.

Revenge.

Boston eliminates the teams that beat them in the past three seasons to advance to the 2022 NBA Finals ☘️ pic.twitter.com/ntrl3oEKaz

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) May 30, 2022

Still, Boston was the best team in the NBA after the calendar turned to 2022. When their defense is locked in, it is great, and was able to leave the Nets, Bucks, and Heat short on ideas in the halfcourt. Ime Udoka has made timely and effective adjustments. The best version of these Celtics is a real two-way juggernaut, and they matchup well with the Warriors. They will benefit from having a few days off before this series gets underway, too.

Golden State haven’t lost at Chase Center in these playoffs, and they have homecourt advantage for this series, but Boston has shown the mettle to notch big wins on the road. There’s no question the Cs are a tougher matchup for the Dubs than the Heat would have been, and it’s slightly surprising to see them as series underdogs.

Our place, Thursday. See you there @celtics. pic.twitter.com/9VoVjcoRSi

— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) May 30, 2022

There’s value on the Celtics at +130. They will go after Steph Curry and Jordan Poole, and their switch-heavy defense is relatively well-equipped to slow the Warriors down. This should be an entertaining series from start to finish – it’s worth considering a wager on it to go seven games at +185 at FanDuel.