Four games into the NBA Finals, neither the Warriors nor the Celtics have put their stamp on the series and established themselves as the clear-cut frontrunner to win the 2022 title.
Both teams have won once at home and once on the road. Both have continued to avoid losing streaks of any kind — the Celtics are 7-0 in the postseason following a loss, while the Warriors are 6-0. As Zach Lowe of ESPN (Insider link) observes, the aggregate score of the Finals is 422-421 in favor of Golden State, and the two teams have made an identical number of three-pointers (64).
Oddsmakers like Bovada.lv and BetOnline.ag currently have the Warriors listed as slight favorites, but that’s mostly due to their home court advantage — the Dubs will host Game 5 at the Chase Center on Monday and would do the same in a potential Game 7 on Sunday.
As Lowe writes, given how tight the series has been so far, it’ll likely come down to “execution, toughness, poise, and a little luck.” Robert Williams‘ health will be an X-factor, as his knee continues to be a nagging issue. The Warriors’ ability to find second and third scorers to complement Stephen Curry will also be crucial. Through four games, Curry has 137 points and Klay Thompson – Golden State’s next-best scorer – has 69, Lowe notes.
Several more subplots will play a part in determining this year’s champion. As solid as Jayson Tatum has been in the series, he doesn’t have a signature performance yet, having shot just 34.1% from the field through four games. Does he have a huge game in him? How much can the Warriors expect from Draymond Green, who has been stout defensively but has done next to nothing on offense (4.3 PPG on 23.1% shooting)? Can the Celtics’ role players continue to knock down open catch-and-shoot threes? Will Boston need to adjust its pick-and-roll defense on Curry?
Lowe believes the Celtics are the “better, deeper team on paper,” but the Warriors have home court advantage and have had the best player in the series.
When we polled our readers prior to the start of the series, over 61% of respondents predicted a Warriors victory. If you voted for Golden State in that poll, are you still confident in your pick, or are you now leaning toward the Celtics? If you voted for Boston before the series, are you changing your pick now or sticking with it?
Ahead of Monday’s Game 5, vote in our latest poll below, then head to the comment section to share your thoughts!
Whoever wins Game 5 today
No Sillivan.
I could see Boston winning in San Francisco tonight. They are very good on the road, everyone knows that. But then the Warriors could easily win game six and seven. But on the other hand if the Warriors win tonight they could get hot and win in Boston Thursday.
People forget there is a slight advantage for the Warriors. Boston is Young and they know they’ll be back next year just as strong and probably the year after.
The warriors on the other hand are older and can sense the extreme urgency of this moment in time. They know how hard it is to get here and the last two years have shown how miserable it is to not make the playoffs.
This is of the utmost importance to get this ring this year for these guys. Legacy, four rings for the core, that kind of thing. I believe that little difference in mindset will make the big difference in the outcome.
82 games season
NBA Finals
Warriors 53 wins
Celtics 51 wins
No team won more than 55 games
You heard it here first, folks.
The Suns won 64, the Grizzlies 56.
“FAIL”
Lakers they have LeBron
Can i laugh now?
I’m gonna try my best sillivan impression….. the team that wins 2 more games should have a great chance. Steph curry born in 1988, Lakers won 1988. Warriors win 6 game sweep
Hilarious top-shelf comment. Classic. The more I read it the funnier it gets. As Rodger Ebert might say, “I’d give this two thumbs up if I could.”
Depends who and how much the refs put money down on
Steph Curry will beat the Celtics/Warriors/refs/opps/hater media narratives. He’s the only one who deserves a ring this year.
A’sfaninLexington with another wonderful post. “The only one who deserves a ring?” Sketchy take as usual.
I think any of the playoff teams that have put it all out there on the floor in defiance of any injuries or obstacles or opposition deserves a championship.
Does everyone who deserves something get it? Of course not. I would say Marcus Smart deserves a championship ring. He’s been injured and gives 150% every game and will do whatever it takes to win.
Look at Robert Williams, running on one leg. I think he deserves a ring. Will he get one? Who knows.., only one team will but there are many many deserving candidates. Jokic of the nuggets? He was amazing and almost lead a short-handed team through several rounds.
How about Joel Embiid? Many other guys would have sat out with his injuries. Didn’t he have a major arm or elbow or hand injury plus a major leg injury on top of it? But no, he gave it 150% also. He’s very deserving.
A’sfaninLexington is ridiculous. Enough said.
My heart says Celtics in 7, but my brain can’t vote against Steph. I think it’ll be Warriors in 7.
I hate the Celtics with a passion….but to me they are the better team. They have lapses in turnovers and focus that has cost them in every loss in the playoffs. If both teams play their A game I think Boston is better and should win….having said that give me warriors in 7 lol
The Boston FLOPPERS are due to regress closer to the mean, so Warriors in 7 seems pretty likely.
More of Boston’s shots have no chance.