Warriors coach Steve Kerr opted not to play Gary Payton II in Game 1 because he thought Payton’s elbow needed more time, as relayed by Kendra Andrews of ESPN (Twitter link). Payton was active in Game 1 for the first time in nearly a month.
Payton suffered a fractured left elbow against Memphis in the Western Conference Semifinals after appearing in just 25 minutes that series. He has served as a key cog off Golden State’s bench this season, averaging 7.1 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.4 steals in 17.6 minutes per game.
Although he was held out of Game 1, Payton could still receive playing time in Game 2, Kerr said. The Celtics scored 120 points to win Game 1 on the road, shooting 51% from the floor and three-point range. The team’s fourth-quarter spark was led by Jaylen Brown — who could be matched up against Payton as the series progresses.
There’s more from around the Western Conference today:
- Tim Kawakami of The Athletic explores how the Warriors could improve their chances of winning Game 2. Golden State led for most of Game 1, but Boston surged in the final period mostly due to hot shooting. The Celtics won the fourth quarter 40-16 after losing the previous three 92-80.
- Chris Biderman of The Sacramento Bee makes a case for why the Kings should draft Keegan Murray with the No. 4 pick later this month. Murray, a 21-year-old forward, averaged 23.5 points and 8.7 rebounds per game with Iowa last season.
- Jonathan Givony of ESPN (Insider link) constructs a mock draft for the Spurs, who own the No. 9, No. 20, No. 25 and No. 38 picks in the event. San Antonio is one of four teams with multiple first-round picks. Givony believes the team should target Memphis big man Jalen Duren at No. 9 overall.
Finals and playoffs is all about adjusting to the other team. Game 2 will be big to see where GSW adjust. You must think they will adjust to protecting the 3 point line since Boston shot 41 3s and 38 were wide open shots. Payton will be playing a lot in the second half next game guarding White.
Surprising he was not used game 1 to give Celtics to think about at least.
Kerr said he was only going to use him in certain situations in game 1 but now up graded him to being almost 100% back.
Agree, Boston won’t hit all those 3’s next game and White and Horford probably won’t be so huge to prop them up over the finish line w a W
Boston going to need Tatum big, and for Jaylen Brown to {continue} being a bit greedy.
Just Feels like this things gonna be knotted tho going back to bean town. Has all the makings for a historic finals. If you wanted to teach your kids what elite basketball looked like that game was sure it
Just as possible Warriors won’t hit 42% from three, and Jayson Tatum won’t have his worst game of the year. See how that works? C’s are just a nightmare matchup for an old and small W’s team. Sweep would not surprise me.
If you looked at all the stats the game was almost even in every category but 3 point shots made. So don’t go around and using the word old and sweep. Grizzlies fans got real cocky and said the same thing about the warriors.
Poole looks young, more than Curry looks old.
While Boston can’t win a playoff game at home, they’re actually very good on the road. Game one was a nice wake-up call for the Warriors, realizing they won’t skate through this series.
I’m sure they made a note that they can’t just get hot in the final three minutes and win. This is a real series against a real team.
But the Warriors should have no problem in 6 ish. They’re still the Warriors. And this is the first time for many of the Celtics in the bright lights. When game 6 and possibly game 7 comes around they’re going to start to get a little tight.
Typical hater
Everything in the box score were almost even. Boston has the advantage with game 1 win because of adjustments by 2 great coaches. Warriors need to take care of the ball and not use Poole more than 20 minutes to be successful.
Warriors —
44.3% FG, 3PT FG 42.2%, 73.3% FT
Celtics —
50.6% FG, 3PT FG 51.2%, 81.2% FT
Really ……….
Those made 3s stand out for the 12 point difference. rebounds 39/39 TO 12/14, fouls 13/16, shots 85/88, FTA 15/16, Now take out those 4 3’s and the % 44/45, So 4 more made baskets was the only difference in the game.
Why don’t we just change the score while we are at it. Shooting % was the difference in the game. Plus 4th Q defense. It’s never even when you lose. Just ask the players. Only fans need solace …..
Just pointing out how evenly matched the teams are.
But Arc in the 4th Q they weren’t. I get you are a Warriors guy. That 4th Q was not even at all. You look at stats and say it was a close gm. But when you outscore the other team 40-16 in 4th Q. Come on bro. That is a closet out of epic proportions.
This is a team they need Wiseman for lol. I’m just never going to be a fan of small ball. You have to be able to do both. When Warriors won All their chips. They could always go big if they needed to. They need to against this team. It hurt the Heat going small only. Size matters in Basketball.
Warriors offense will have to set records to win imo.
Celtics can guard the perimeter as well as any team. Yet are still big with Horford and Williams. Celtics shot 22-44 non 3PT shots. Plenty layups cause they are bigger. Celtics shot better and played better team D in gm 1.
Wiggins is the key to me for Warriors. He needs to be the other guy. Curry is going to get his. Wiggins on offense has to be Minny Wiggins. For Warriors to win. He’s the one guy besides Curry who can hurt the Celtics like Jimmy did. If these two guys get it going. Then Celtics D is a lot easier to handle. Warriors can’t be all about the 3PT shot. Cause then they are predictable.
I have always said you play the Warriors high on D. You heard Smart in huddle. You pick them up full court 3/4 court. Make the clock your friend on D. That’s how you disrupt the Warriors offense. Now can you do this enough to win 4 gms. It’s best if you can go deep on your bench. Celtics went 8-9 deep. I’d prefer 10 deep.
Time for other Warriors to step up. Curry is the real thing. But Poole only thinks he can get his. Not easy when a team knows how to play D. Poole getting exposed ……
Poole is starting to remind me of D’Lo when he was on the warriors. can shoot the lights out but can’t defend on defense. makes too many ball handling mistakes.
He’s a product of the system. He’s not who he thinks he is. Still a great pick though.
I agree. Murray would be a great pick, but I’d start him at the SF slot and move Barnes over to PF. The next, question should be who plays SG, since Lamb & Divincenzo are FA and Holiday is more of a SF than a SG. Davis should be back at full strenght too.
Possible New Starting Line Up :
—————————————
PF 6-8 Barnes….. 16pts / 5 rbd / 2ast / 1blk
SF 6-8 Murray….. 13pts / 7rbd / 2ast / 2blk
C 6-11 Sabonis….. 19pts / 12rbd / 4ast / 1blk
SG 6-5 Divincenzo….. 12pts / 3rbd / 3ast / 2stl
PG 6-3 Fox….. 21pts / 3rbd / 7ast / 1stl
Kings can trade Barnes and get good value. Murray can step right in and start at 3. For Kings he’s a solid pick.
Sharpe is swing for fences. Murray is the real deal. I take Murray
Keegan Murray makes fine sense at #4 Kings. Their new HC Mike Brown is defensively oriented and to get Brown off to a good start, Murray is probably the best defender until Johnny Davis, who might go #10 or so. And, Fox apparently did not like the guard competition from Haliburton, which he would get from Ivey, Sharpe or Griffen.
Don’t know about not liking competition, but, I must say when your star player is a PG, it just doesn’t make any sense to pick another star PG, just dumb really, right?
At least now with Sabonis, who is a far better player than Haliburton will ever be, they don’t have that redundance at PG, which makes them look a lot better as a team!
Yes that irked Fox, who reduced his effort when first Haliburton then Mitchell were drafted high. His stats improved when Hali left… he was said to play harder by a Sacto poster, maybe KHE.
If I were a GM, I might draft all guards and trade some to get my bigs… because I think it’s easier to guess right on drafting guards.
not a fan of either team but finals experience will win out…..