Boston Celtics send massive warning, steal Game 1 of NBA Finals

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 02: Al Horford #42 of the Boston Celtics looks to pass against the Golden State Warriors during the fourth quarter in Game One of the 2022 NBA Finals at Chase Center on June 02, 2022 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Hold off on those Golden State Warriors 2022 NBA Championship celebration preparations; the Boston Celtics have something to say.

After trailing for much of Game 1, a resounding fourth quarter, led by Al Horford’s Reggie Miller-style performance with six three-pointers, the Men in Green silenced the Chase Center with a 120-108 victory, taking a 1-0 lead in the NBA Finals.

Simply put, the Celtics beat the Warriors at their own game. Trailing by 12 entering the fourth quarter, Ime Udoka’s resilient squad knocked down seven three-pointers at the start to erase the deficit and get back in the game.

The Boston Celtics sent a resounding message that they will not be a pushover against the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals.

Both squads combined for 40 three-pointers, a new finals record, surpassing the previous record of 35 set by Cleveland and Golden State in 2017. In this game, Boston’s three-pointers in crunch time ultimately paid great dividends.

With 24 points, seven rebounds, and five assists for the Celtics, Jaylen Brown played great. His counterpart, Jayson Tatum, wasn’t nearly as fortunate on the stat sheet but managed to chip in 12 points. However, having 13 assists is enough to warrant a thumbs up and pat on the shoulder.

Still, the star of the game was Horford. Playing in his first-ever finals, Horford dropped 26, including, as mentioned before, six from beyond the arc. Additionally, can we give some love to Derrick White? The trade-deadline acquisition dropped 21 points off the bench, including five three-pointers. It sounds like the deal paid off.

On the flip side, Golden State’s inability to withstand Boston’s run proved to be their demise, at least in this game. On the bright side, Curry finished with 34 points, five rebounds, and five assists while recording seven three-pointers.

Unfortunately, this defeat negates Curry’s hot first quarter, where he scored 21. Klay Thompson finished with 15, and Draymond Green had only four points, including going 0-of-4 beyond the arc and 0-of-3 on free throws. And though Andrew Wiggins recorded 20, this was not exactly a prime recipe for success for Steve Kerr’s shooters.

Going 9-for-12 from beyond the arc in the fourth proved to be the difference. Boston went on a massive 17-0 run in the final period that ultimately led to their win. Horford’s late three with 5:10 left in the fourth, courtesy of a Payton Pritchard assist, firmly put Boston ahead for the rest of the contest. 40-16 was the score of the fourth quarter, and it tells a big chunk of the story of Game 1.

While it is just one game, and plenty is left to play in this series, those who jumped ever so quickly to crown Golden State as the 2022 NBA Champions need to look at themselves and rethink that.

That would include Emmanuel Acho, who vehemently disrespected Boston by calling them a knockoff of Golden State. Others, such as Deadspin, said that “Boston has no shot.” Anything you would like to say without making an excuse?

Sure, it is just one game, but one thing was made clear. While Boston may never have such a strong shooting performance again this series, they did prove that resilience, defense, and grit can always allow you to avoid a sweep. So much for a Golden State premature coronation.

Game 2 of the 2022 NBA Finals is set for Sunday, June 5 at 8:00 p.m. EST on ESPN. Boston leads the NBA Finals 1-0.