The NBA Vegas online betting sites and the Golden State Warriors were on to something with Games 4 and 5. In this article, we have our NBA Final Game 6 Picks for this pivotal Thursday night tilt. Can Golden State finish this series and take home the trophy? Or will Boston force a Game 7?
With Game 6 still almost two days away, it is essential to look back at Game 5. The pace of Game 5 was expected to be controlled by Golden State. Golden State put the hammer down in the first quarter Then, Golden State err, Stephen Curry forced Golden State to go inside. Yes, it was that simple. A lot of the damage was done during the fourth quarter.
A compounding concern with Boston is this. The Celtics slowed Curry to the point where the focus of the offense went away from him. By the final quarter, Boston cut down what was a 12-point halftime deficit to one. All the momentum was there for the Celtics (after all they were 7-0 after a loss in these playoffs). The inevitability was palpable. Boston was about to take control of the series. Then, it happened.
Kurtenbach: Andrew Wiggins has always let his game talk for him. The Warrior’s NBA Finals Game 5 spoke volumes. https://t.co/FvW8L0A6BG
— Bay Area Sports HQ (@BayAreaSportsHQ) June 14, 2022
So, Golden State won the fourth quarter on Monday night via Andrew Wiggins. The Warriors adjusted and bogged Boston into the marsh with 12 minutes of defense and timely scoring in the paint. In all Wiggins had 28 points and 13 rebounds. More importantly, Golden State did something different. They scored a whopping 50 of their 104 points from the paint. It was a weird night for the Warriors but a pivotal night.
Therefore, NBA Final Game 6 Picks focuses on what could happen Thursday night and learned from Monday also. Golden State still has the toughest job to accomplish. Yes, Boston made this a series but it is Golden State who has adapted and adjusted just that little bit better at the big inflexion points of the series. It is why Golden State is now up to three games to two.
So, the Golden State NBA Game 6 Picks have another decree. Golden State must pick it up from the perimeter on Thursday. The Celtics did an excellent job behind Marcus Smart and company of forcing errant three-point shots from the Warriors. Golden State shot just 9 of 40 from beyond the arc. Stephen Curry and Andrew Wiggins went 0 for 15 combined. Only Klay Thompson and Jordan Poole went 8 for 17 combined.
Thankfully, despite one three made from the rest of the team not named Thompson or Poole, Golden State shot a sizzling 66.7% from two-point range (mostly inside). That is something few could have expected in this series. That was the difference in Game 5 and may have tipped the best-of-seven to Golden State. Now, the Warriors created opportunities and wore Boston down in a fourth-quarter that helped the Warriors win by double digits.
Go ahead and tell me that the @warriors can win a #NBAFinals game without @StephenCurry30 hitting ONE three pointer. I think he was 4 years old the last time he played a whole game without a 3. Go ahead, I dare you! #NBAFinals2022 #NBA #nba
— Jaime Casap (@jcasap) June 14, 2022
This series started with how Boston used a four to five-minute stretch of three-point brilliance. That has not happened since. Could it be again? Sure. However, Golden State’s depth allows them to win games in different ways. Also, it helped show Boston’s inexperience for the first time. That fourth-quarter showed Boston in a light not seen yet this postseason. The Celtics looked discombobulated. They appeared flat-out dishevelled.
Golden State controls pace better when they are assertive inside. Simply, they still shot 46.6% and committed only six turnovers (Boston had 18). Though there is more work to do, Golden State now knows it just takes one more game to win the NBA Championship. In our NBA Game 6 Picks, the series numbers move is duly noted. It was +190 before Game 4. However, the Warriors are -370 favorites now.
The NBA Game 6 Picks has one more to consider. Golden State and that Game 6 moneyline? Again, the moneyline is hovering around +130 to +150. Honestly, that number is much better than the series outcome. Keep an eye on the series spread to see what that comes out to before Game 6 on Thursday night. That expects to present a number to take a small-unit wager on.
Again, more props and other picks are there to make. However, this seems dangerous based on how this series has gone. It remains prudent to take small shots and not aim too high at this stage. The NBA wagering is almost over. Why ruin a good run with some silly picks thinking with one’s heart and not head? Think before one sinks it into the drink. With Golden State getting four points, the moneyline is still around +145 to +150 some places.
If refs carrying then surely the Celtics shot fewer FT right? Right? Please say "right." pic.twitter.com/ZJT3AIjsrW
— Schneebs (@schneebs) June 14, 2022
For what it is worth, the spread at 1.5 games comes back into play again. As we mentioned, if that number is reasonable, toss a few dollars on it. Do not be reckless. Golden State wins in a variety of ways. Boston carried a number of advantages in Game 5 and yet Golden State still won by ten points. Expect Boston to over-adjust to stop the inside “bleeding” as Golden State could end this series on a three-point barrage of their own.
For the NBA Game 6 Picks, watch that moneyline. Take Golden State once more away from home.
Bovada expects more potential numbers as Game 6 approaches. Boston, Golden State, and the opening of The Stanley Cup Final are upcoming this week.
Lastly, remember those NHL Stanley Cup Playoff odds where you can wager a few dollars more.
Chris Wassel is a skilled scribe who possesses a fervor for both sports and entertainment. Boasting a journalism background and over two decades of experience, he has crafted pieces that encompass a diverse array of sports including hockey, basketball, football, and others. His writing is characterized by its lucidity and sharpness, and provides a unique viewpoint on entertainment and political matters. While Chris primarily focuses on sports writing, he also writes about a wide range of subjects.