The NBA betting sites and the Boston Celtics had the fourth quarter answers once again in Game 3. In this article, we have our early NBA Final Game 4 Picks for this captivating Friday night tilt. Can Golden State eye tie the series after falling in Game 3?
Since now is the time to get ready for Game 4, it is normal to flashback to Game 3. The pace of Game 3 was expected to start higher for Boston. That pace was expected to be matched by Golden State Warriors. However, Boston had other plans as the Celtics sprinted out to an 11-point first quarter lead. Yes, it was that simple. A lot of the damage was done in the opening 12 minutes. A Boston trio sinks Golden State in Game 3 was the headline.
A slight worry that became reality on Wednesday night was the Boston Celtics getting an early hot hand. Through three quarters, Boston shot right around 50% (above 50% in the opening 12 minutes). The Celtics jumped out to an early lead behind Jayson Tatum, Jalen Brown, and Marcus Smart. All three had a hand in shooting and distributing the ball. They combined in this game for 77 points, 22 rebounds and 19 assists.
So, Golden State got schooled early on Wednesday night. They made their adjustments in the third quarter and made a game of it. The Warriors got within two points despite being outrebounded so soundly (47-31). Offensive boards were 15-6 Boston as Boston took’s Golden State’s own advice to crash the boards early and then late. The fourth quarter edge loomed large as shooting cooled for both teams. Boston held Golden State to just 11 points!
Therefore, NBA Final Game 4 Picks focuses on more than just the lessons learned but on the look-ahead also. Golden State faces a much tougher road mostly due to their own self-inflicted wounds. Give Boston a lot of credit for playing smart and then tightening the clamps with their top-ranked defense (2nd in defensive rating). They allowed 100 points to a potent Warriors offense.
So, the Golden State NBA Final Game 4 Picks have new lessons to learn. One never should write off the Warriors down two games to one. However, there were quite a few troubling signs again in Game 3. There was a familiar one that had to eat at some Golden State players and coaches alike. The Warriors appeared to be a step slow. Golden State must keep Boston off the boards better on Friday night.
Thankfully, adjustments can be made. Look at how the Warriors responded in Game 5 after the Dallas Mavericks put on a similar clinic in their Game 4. One troubling trend has been Draymond Green. Honestly, he has been a non-factor in about 2 1/2 of the three games this series. Maybe, it’s the fear of the technicals or it is getting in all that foul trouble. Green has committed 15 fouls this series (fouling out of Games 1 and 3).
This series started as to how Golden State was the better team than Boston. In Game 3, Draymond Green lost his way. The bigger question is why didn’t Steve Kerr yank his “star” defensive player and put in Kevon Looney (seven rebounds, three offensively in 16:47) and Otto Porter Jr. even more? Green played nearly 35 minutes, had just two points, and was the most ineffective player on the floor for both sides. Yes, he played like poop.
Golden State must guard the defensive glass and assert themselves on the offensive glass too. The scary part is they have the players execute their plan. Therefore, Golden State now knows that it will take more than five games to win the NBA Championship. In our NBA Final Game 4 Picks, a bigger series shift has appeared.
The NBA Final Game 4 Picks has one more too to consider. What about Golden State and that Game 4 moneyline? Huh? How did we forget about the simplest of bets where the Warriors are again plus-money? This is because the series prices are even better than the moneyline at this juncture. That feels hard to believe but these shifts do get more amplified with all the betting handle concentrated on this event.
Again, there are more props and other picks to make. However, this seems dangerous based on what happened in Games 1 and 3. A few pundits believe that Boston may have Golden State’s number. Here at VegasBetting, we are staying the course based on Boston’s pattern. Steve Kerr and the Warriors have to bog down and play better defensively. The expectation is that Game 4 will see better effort on the boards and offensively when it counts.
For what it is worth, the spread at 1.5 games is likely gone as an option. Now with Game 4, the idea is to take on that moneyline for the value. Golden State cannot turn the ball over 16 times and expect to win (especially that many after coming back in the fourth quarter). Steve Kerr and company have to get the right five out there more often than they did on Wednesday. The belief is that they will on Friday.
For the NBA Final Game 4 Picks, watch the spread which is already teetering between 4 and 4.5 points. Take Golden State anyway on the moneyline and spread.
Bovada has the series shift in prices even greater now. Also, Boston, Golden State, and baseball are on the docket this weekend.
Don’t forget about MLB Vegas odds where you can wager some dollars.
