In what should be an action-packed conclusion to the NBA Playoffs, this year’s edition of the Finals features two teams coming off vastly different outcomes in the Conference Finals. From the Western Conference, the Warriors were able to dismantle the outgunned Mavericks in five games and looked like their mid-2010’s selves on a nightly basis. Meanwhile the Celtics had their limits tested with a dramatic Game 7 win over the Miami Heat on the road in the Eastern Conference. With both squads bringing a lot to the table, this should be an epic matchup if both teams are playing at their best.
As always, SBS has you covered with a game preview, breakdown and prediction for who will win Game 1 in the NBA Finals.
Coming off a thrilling Game 7 win against the Heat in South Beach, the Celtics are showing they have a ton of grit. Led by star forward Jayson Tatum’s 26 points, Boston was able to outlast Miami, 100-96. With Heat forward Jimmy Butler’s final three-point chance falling short at the end of regulation, it was clear that even if the game went to overtime, the spry Celtics would still have the edge. Thanks to perhaps the best starting lineup in the league, Boston was able to keep Miami at arm’s length most of the contest, until the final moments. That said, the Celtics showed they are capable of winning when it counts most.
In addition to Tatum’s 26, Boston saw some inspiring performances from their backcourt duo of Marcus Smart and Jaylen Brown who both had 24 points. However, it was veteran center Al Horford who proved to be the linchpin for Boston in Game 7 with a game-leading 14 rebounds. The Florida product played an inspiring 44 minutes and even though he struggled from the field (only making two field goals), he still put together a +10 plus/minus mark. After winning twice against Miaimi on the road, the Celtics have shown they can win against the league’s best away from the friendly confines of their home floor.
Like it was 2015 all over again, the Warriors are led by their fantastic trio of Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green. Curry has been especially spectacular this postseason with a scoring average of nearly 26 points per contest (25.9). Thanks to his superior marksmanship and the Warriors’ championship pedigree, Golden State has found itself back in the Finals for the first time this decade after they dominated the latter half of the 2010’s. His running mate Thompson has been fantastic at times as well. After being bogged down with injuries the last couple of seasons, the Washington State product has provided some dependable and consistent scoring for Golden State (19.8 points per game in the postseason).
However, the Warriors defense starts and ends with power forward Draymond Green. One of the most versatile and intelligent players in the league, Green leads the Warriors in assists this postseason (6.3 per game) and also has solid metrics in points and rebounds. While their star trio has garnered most of the headlines, Golden State has seen some powerful performances from younger players like Jordan Poole (15.96 player efficiency rating) and Andrew Wiggins (12.98 PER in the postseason). Head coach Steve Kerr seems to be pushing all the right buttons by finding new ways to win. However, the question here will be if the aging Warriors will be rested (and not rusted) enough for the cagey Celtics.
Prediction: With these squads splitting their matchups in the regular season at one win apiece, Game 1 should make for an interesting showdown. That in mind, the Warriors are much more rested than the battle-tested Celtics and play incredibly well in the Bay Area which should give them the Game 1 edge.
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About the Author
As a devout aficionado of sports, Chris Boline has carved a career within the athletic realm. A skilled scribe, he boasts a decade-long portfolio that encompasses coverage of the NBA G League, the Los Angeles Chargers, football in the Mountain West Conference, and basketball. Beyond his professional pursuits, Chris is deeply invested in his community and dedicates his leisure hours to serving on boards, collaborating with community organizations, and cherishing the company of loved ones.
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