The last two teams standing have plenty of history in the NBA Finals.
The Celtics will be seeking to break their tie with the Lakers for the most NBA championships. They’ve both won it 17 times, though Boston hasn’t captured the Larry O’Brien trophy since 2008 and hasn’t reached the Finals since 2010.
The Warriors will be seeking their fourth title in eight years — they won it in 2015, 2017 and 2018.
Defense has been the calling card of both teams. They finished first and second in the regular season in defensive field goal percentage — Boston held opponents to 43.4% shooting, while Golden State limited opponents to 43.8% shooting. They are second and third in that category in the postseason behind Milwaukee.
Both teams have versatile players who can guard multiple positions. Boston has the 2022 Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart, Golden State has former DPOY Draymond Green.
Offensively, the Celtics rely on their wings while the Warriors lean on their guards. Boston’s Jayson Tatum (27.0 PPG in this postseason) and Jaylen Brown (22.9 PPG) are capable of taking over games at any time. Of course, Golden State has the Splash Brothers. Stephen Curry (25.9 PPG) and Klay Thompson (19.8 PPG) are just as dangerous as ever and they’ve got plenty of support from 22-year-old Jordan Poole (18.4 PPG).
The Smart-Curry matchup could set the tone for the series. Andrew Wiggins will draw either Tatum or Brown.
The Celtics’ frontcourt of veteran Al Horford and Robert Williams, with a big assist from Grant Williams, will go toe-to-toe with Green and one of the postseason’s biggest surprises, Kevon Looney.
With the home court advantage and championship experience, Golden State enters the Finals as the favorite. However, Boston’s defense and dynamic scoring duo can’t be underestimated.
So now it’s your turn to decide how the Finals will play out. Vote in our poll, then head to the comments section below to share your thoughts!
Everyone knows that as Steph Curry goes, so go the Warriors. I say that because Marcus Smart is a very real threat to the game efficiency of Steph Curry.
Smart is tough, intelligent, willing to sacrifice his body, and will do whatever it takes to win this series. I don’t like to think about the way Smart plays at times because every team wants a guy that will lay it all out there on the floor. If there’s a loose ball Marcus is going to give everything to get it no matter who’s around or who could be in the way.
My fingers are crossed that this series is well played, clean, no career-threatening injuries, and may we the fans be totally entertained.
Warriors in 6-ish…, if Klay gets hot for three games, then 6 for sure. If he’s cold and has only one great shooting game, Warriors in 7, and Jordan Poole has to play well.
4-1 GSW
*doesn’t necessarily mean ALL 4 wins will be blowouts
You started the season discounting Wiggins. I think you are discounting the depth.
SFGiants74, yes you’re absolutely right I was super hard on Wiggins prior to this year. I’m spoiled by a superstar at the small forward with Durant and then Prior the W’s had Harrison Barnes who was very good.
But I would often get frustrated at Wiggins inability to be a star. Couldn’t count on him for a guaranteed bucket in crunch time with all the chips on the line in a tight 4th qtr.
But the Warriors have perfected his efficiency and use. He’s the perfect Superstar fourth option. He’ll hit the three, throw down a rebound Dunk putback, play tremendous defense. It’s when he’s the one or two option that he’ll let you down. As the number four option he’s been above and beyond anyone can ask.
I definitely admire his ability to withstand all the criticism directed at him, and his work ethic in getting better and playing the role asked of him by the team. Tip my cap to the man for becoming the player he has this year. Big Time Bravo for quieting the critics with me at the front of the line.
the red sox in you must by suffering right now
Yes, demian, they started horribly and the bullpen is still something of a Marvel to behold, but the bats have finally come alive. Hope to visit Fenway again this summer. Already been a gazillion times. Tough to catch the Yankees though. They’re always good.
Cavs won in 2016 yo
I have no rooting interest. But I think if BOS can keep their focus throughout, then they have a great chance to win. I can’t pick them, though, because they don’t seem to able to (vs MIL or vs MIA). Even Game 7 vs MIA, they almost blew a 13 point lead in the last 3 minutes with the Finals at stake. Any advantage they have against GSW is smaller, so they can’t give even 1 game away and still have a good chance to win.
Golden State in 5.
Celtics in six …….
They matchup well with Warriors. Dra is not going to have his way with Al and Williams. Celtics are bigger and it will wear on them. Better rebounding and better D. I got Celtics. Let’s do this ……
I used to like you Al. I thought you knew basketball LOL.. just kidding, could very well happen.
Celtics are young and gritty. But the Warriors are so deep and they have shooting. Shooting is essential in today’s NBA. Teams usually even forsake the center position in favor of shooting. Warriors in 6 ish.
Your bias is showing
You don’t have a bias. Everyone has a bias. If you didn’t have a bias, you would be a rock…But then again, rocks are made up of different materials.
They said that about the 75 Warriors. But, Yohan outplayed Unseld. Looney seems up to the task.
“Go Heat”
GSW championships were 2015, 2017, 2018.
You forgot 1975. Another small underdog team.
Tatum/Brown are better than Curry/Klay because of youth and all around skills
Warriors should win the series if Gary Payton is fully healthy
Payton and Looney play better defense than Smart and R Williams
Sillivan I’m going to disagree with you on all 3 points.
#1 two-time mvp, about to be four championships, top 75 player all time, best shooter in the history of the world. Klay also explosive, capable of nearly 40 points in a single quarter of NBA basketball. Tatum and Brown are all stars. That’s it. They have to prove to be more than that and they are capable but haven’t done it yet. Not a knock just that they haven’t done it yet.
#2 Warriors win the series Gary Payton full-strength or not. He’s one guy. I mentioned that the Warriors one guy they need on the floor is Curry. Payton is not Curry. Yes he’s important, yes he can lock down Brown or Tatum for spurts, but if he sits out the whole series The Warriors still win.
#3 another “prove it” Point. Marcus Smart is a defensive player of the year and a candidate every single year. Gary Payton just made an NBA ROSTER THIS YEAR. Perhaps Looney plays great defense but Robert Williams protects the rim and blocks shots. Both great Defenders but Rim protection is an extra element of resistance.
GSW can focus more steadily.
Interesting that the Celtics are the “wing” team, while GSW is the “guard” team… Poole’s rapid rise makes that so… but GSW has more wings in the wing.
I wanted Poole in the 2019 draft. He checked all of my boxes: 3PtAtt/100 pos, FT%, DRB%, and Steal Rate. I was amazed he fell to the bottom of the first round. Cs took Romeo Langford and Grant Williams. I hated the former and wasn’t thrilled with the latter. Langford wouldn’t have made my board. Never draft a wing that can’t shoot. Now, that draft could wind up biting the Cs in the ass.
Poole had minutes in Gleague. Boston should have sent Langford there. I think Langford will show up this coming year. Ime left him in the corner and the J’s neve passed to him. If Pop can’t inspire him then no one can.
It should be noted that Hassan Whiteside said that Draymond Green gave Miami inspiration to win the ECF.
2 turnover-prone teams that play good defense. Warriors are harder to defend. They have more depth, and more importantly they have a champion core of Steph, Dray, Klay, and ‘Dre.
Those things should make the difference. GSW in 6.
Celtics in 5-6, I standing by my earlier predictions that they match up great with all the remaining teams after they eliminated Giannis
They are seasoned enough where this is not unfamiliar to them. They need to make this final push to the next level. Love their change in coaching it is been a perfect fit.
If they fall short maybe a roster tweak here and there. Another sniper or a younger version of Al Horford?
Celtics getting it done and looking good. Not this time though the Warriors are a buzz saw and are clicking right now.
Some good points made in here all around by many posters –
“GSW can focus more steadily” from x% was probably my fav line tho
Still GSW’s hardly been challenged, or played {great} for that matter ( some of this has been opponent (lack of) based)
If Boston has good health/Covid luck and has their top 7 healthy all series I see them the better team so I’m going Boston in 7 and this series saves the playoffs
@Cap & Crunch… I am afraid that at this point with all the best teams & best players already home & what is left in the finals… nothing, & I repeat nothing can save the playoffs this year, as simple as!
Boston is going to destroy the warriors. Little Stephanie will get exposed on defense and it’ll be a wrap
Who in particular is going to expose Stephanie? Which of the Boston little guys is going to get that done?
Pritchard? I love him but he doesn’t play enough right now, stuck to the bench except for spot duty.
Derek White? nope not really a scorer exposing guys.
Marcus smart? not a scorer either his value comes from doing other things.
Really not sure who’s going to expose Stephanie.