{"id":33460,"date":"2022-06-02T12:13:35","date_gmt":"2022-06-02T12:13:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/harchi90.com\/celtics-or-warriors-our-writers-share-their-nba-finals-predictions-nba-finals\/"},"modified":"2022-06-02T12:13:35","modified_gmt":"2022-06-02T12:13:35","slug":"celtics-or-warriors-our-writers-share-their-nba-finals-predictions-nba-finals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/harchi90.com\/celtics-or-warriors-our-writers-share-their-nba-finals-predictions-nba-finals\/","title":{"rendered":"Celtics or Warriors? Our writers share their NBA finals predictions | NBA finals"},"content":{"rendered":"
If Golden State play Warriors Basketball \u2122<\/strong> (the ball flies around like a hot potato, everyone eats), they can win this series pretty handily. They also have the luxury of a potential Steph Curry or Klay Thompson supernova on any given night, which is helpful. But if they play their brand of basketball, they don’t necessarily need one. CDL<\/strong><\/p>\n If Golden State have proven one thing over the years, it’s that when they are healthy and play their style of basketball it’s hard enough to beat them in one game, let alone four. With three different players returning from injury<\/strong> for the finals, the health question is answered at least. TF<\/strong><\/p>\n Stay healthy and keep their big three (Curry, Thompson, Draymond Green) out of the Covid-19 protocols?<\/strong> Honestly, if the well-rested Warriors play their style of basketball, exploit Boston’s mental weaknesses (see below) and prevent Jayson Tatum from having a finals performance for the ages, the Warriors should win their fourth title of the century. HF<\/strong><\/p>\n The Warriors will win if they lean on their playoff experience<\/strong> and overwhelm the youthful Celtics. Curry, Green and Thompson have played in 82 NBA finals games combined. By comparison, the entire Boston team will be making their finals debut. Additionally, the Warriors are equipped with a high-octane offense that can ignite at any moment. Curry and Thompson will lead the way, but they’re close to unbeatable if Jordan Poole and Andrew Wiggins can also be explosive offensively. ARS<\/strong><\/p>\n The Celtics got here thanks in large part to their defensive prowess<\/strong>. They’ve been the No 1 ranked defense in the league since the start of 2022. They’ll need to play the hardest-nosed version of that defense to topple an offensive juggernaut like the Warriors. CDL<\/strong><\/p>\n Stay healthy<\/strong>. Several key players – mainly Marcus Smart and Robert Williams III – have been in and out of the lineup so much you’d think they were flipping a coin to decide if they were going to play on any given night. If that trend continues Boston are in danger. TF<\/strong><\/p>\n When the Celtics are firing on all cylinders, they are unstoppable. Unfortunately for them, they always seem to get in their own way. Boston can’t afford to make their jobs harder<\/strong> by committing unforced turnovers, putting together inexplicably bad quarters and \/ or letting the officials get in their heads. The more experienced Warriors will make them pay if they do. HF<\/strong><\/p>\n The Celtics will win if they remain tenacious on defense<\/strong>. While facing the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference finals, the Celtics held the Heat to multiple low-scoring quarters including an 11-point first quarter in Game 4. The Celtics can also increase their chances for victory if Al Horford and Robert Williams are able to dominate the paint. ARS<\/strong><\/p>\n Stephen Curry<\/strong> already has a pretty crowded trophy case (among his accolades are three NBA championships and two regular season MVPs) but it contains a somewhat surprising, and at times controversial, omission: he has never won a finals MVP. I’d wager this is the year that changes for him. CDL<\/strong><\/p>\n The man, the myth, the legend, Curry<\/strong> himself. I easily could have gone with Andrew Wiggins here, but when I look at the stars at night, they seem ever so aligned for Steph to finally get his finals MVP trophy and elevate his legacy di lui just a little more. TF<\/strong><\/p>\n The smart money is on Steph Curry, of course, but let’s not forget that fellow Splash Brother Klay Thompson<\/strong> is capable of taking over by putting together a series-long long-distance shooting streak that could leave even Boston’s celebrated defense struggling to find answers, especially if their gameplans concentrate on Steph to start the series. HF<\/strong><\/p>\n Jayson Tatum<\/strong>. During the Eastern Conference finals, Tatum was able to consistently initiate his offense against a stingy Heat defense that stifled Trae Young and James Harden in the earlier rounds. Tatum will not face as much defensive pressure as he goes against adequate, but not great, defenders Thompson and Wiggins. Tatum will average close to 30 points per game to capture MVP honors. ARS<\/strong><\/p>\n In a lot of ways, this series hinges on the efficacy of the Celtics defense and, by the transitive property, on the Time Lord, Robert Williams III<\/strong>. He’s maybe their most versatile defender, but he’s battling a knee injury and definitely didn’t look like himself in the Miami series. If he can be even a fraction closer to 100% in the finals, his defensive skill set di lui gives the Celtics a real chance. CDL<\/strong><\/p>\n Gary Payton II<\/strong> has been out for several weeks breaking his elbow against Memphis, and some people may have forgotten how impactful he can be for the Warriors. That elbow injury could impact his shooting ability of him when he does return, but he is such a superb defender that may not matter too much. TF<\/strong><\/p>\n Andrew Wiggins<\/strong> has arguably had the strangest career so far of any of the finals participants, going from the top pick in the 2014 NBA draft to the Rookie of the Year to borderline-bust with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Luckily for him, he rediscovered his shooting stroke di lui with the Warriors and has saved some of his best basketball for the postseason. It’s hard not to root for him, even if you’re a Warriors hater. HF<\/strong><\/p>\n Al Horford<\/strong>. The 15-year veteran will finally shed the dubious distinction of having played in the most postseason games without reaching an NBA finals. Throughout the playoffs, Horford has found ways to make game-changing plays with defense and timely three-pointers. He could be the biggest X factor in the series. ARS<\/strong><\/p>\nWhat the Celtics need to do to win<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Your NBA finals MVP will be<\/strong> …<\/h2>\n
Unheralded player to watch<\/strong><\/h2>\n