The Golden State Warriors have become an NBA dynasty. Will Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics defense lock up the league’s most dangerous offenses?
Winning another NBA Finals will help a handful of Golden State’s veterans solidify their status as NBA greats. Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green have made playing for the Larry O’Brien trophy a tradition – advancing to the big dance six times in the last eight years.
While the Warriors prepare to battle for their third championship in ten years, the Celtics are determined to take it one game at a time.
Stephen Curry is hungry to add to his legacy
Returning to the finals required Steve Kerr’s team to exude patience and focus. Injuries from multiple players in the last two years kept the Warriors from contending for a championship ring.
Watching Giannis Antetokounmpo and Lebron James win in the Finals served as motivation for Kerr’s squad this season. Their 53-29 regular-season record finished third-best in the association.
THE NBA FINALS ARE HERE 🙌 #NBAFinals pic.twitter.com/hHzpIl8FlS
— ESPN (@espn) June 2, 2022
Handling business in the postseason is second nature for Golden State’s experienced roster. An explosive post-season scoring outburst guided Kurr’s team to another championship faceoff. Stephen Curry has averaged 25.9 points per game this postseason, averaging 3.8 three-pointers per night.
Series wins over the Denver Nuggets, Memphis Grizzlies, and Dallas Mavericks allowed fans to see how dangerous their team could be in pivotal moments. Contributions from younger players like Jordan Poole and Kevon Looney have kept the team afloat.
Boston Celtics ride the coat tails of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown
Clinching a berth to the finals did not come easy for Ime Udoka’s team. Wins against the Milwaukee Bucks and Brooklyn Nets helped Boston gain momentum for the biggest stretch of their playoff run.
Defeating Giannis Antetokoumpo and Kevin Durant spoke volumes about Boston’s defense. The team’s contributions against opposing offenses continued against the Miami Heat. Outbursts from Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum gave Boston the edge in a tight seven-game series.
The Celtics need to incorporate a similar strategy throughout the play of the Finals. Tatum and Brown combine forty-nine points per night, while Marcus Smart and Al Horford fill in when the team needs an extra basket.
Defense will be the determining factor in the series outcome. Limiting the Golden State’s three-point shooting will equate to a Boston Celtics victory. Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson have made a career knocking down shots in big moments. While fans prepare for another exciting match-up, players on both teams will focus on the task at hand.
Game 1 gave a small glimpse of this in the fourth quarter. Golden State had the upper hand for most of the game, but in the final period, Boston held them to just 2-of-8 shooting from deep. That combined with some red-hot shooting of their own was enough for the Celtics to steal a win.
Game 2 of the NBA Finals is this Sunday at 8:00 p.m. EST.