Has the tide tipped the Warriors’ way as NBA Finals enter decisive phase?
Having missed the chance to put the NBA Finals on track on their home court, the Celtics need to dig deep on Monday in a Game 5 that usually determines the fate of the Finals.
Having missed a golden opportunity to claim a major advantage in the NBA Finals on their home court, the Boston Celtics must bounce back on Monday night when they visit the Golden State Warriors in a Game 5 that usually determines the fate of the championship.
In the previous 30 Finals that went to a 2-2 tie, the team that won Game 5 went on to win 73% of the time (22-8).
The omens are good for Boston however with the fighting spirit instilled in them by rookie coach Ime Udoka, star players Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown and the rest of the Celtics have responded with a win after each of their seven losses in these playoffs.
The same has been true in the Finals, where only one point separates the two teams on the overall scoreboard (422-421 in Golden State’s favor) but each matchup has had a clear winner.
Every time a franchise has had a win, they have been beaten by double-digit leads, which gives the Celtics hope for a resurgence, only this time the pressure and the emotional blow they have to recover from are much greater.
Celtics rue Friday defeat
On Friday, the Celtics came close to taking an almost definitive 3-1 lead that would have left them one win away from the title, but a colossal performance by Steph Curry rescued the Warriors.
With Boston ahead on the scoreboard entering the final four minutes, Curry emerged to complete one of the finest heroics of his remarkable career, totaling 43 points, 7 three-pointers, 10 rebounds and 4 assists.
“I don’t rank my performances. You just have to win the game,” Curry responded to those who consider it his greatest Finals masterpiece.
At 34, the point guard is determined to revive the Warriors dynasty that reached five consecutive Finals between 2015 and 2019 and conquered three rings.
Curry with a score to settle
Although he is recognized as the leader of those teams, Curry still has personal scores to settle in this series.
The point guard, the best shooter in history, was never recognized with the MVP (Most Valuable Player) award of the Finals won by the Warriors. Voters relegated him in favor of defensive specialist Andre Iguodala in 2015 and all-star Kevin Durant in 2017 and 2018.
Curry averages 27 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists in his 32 Finals games but the lack of one of those MVPs in his trophy case left a sense that he didn’t show his best on the biggest stage.
If that myth still existed, the point guard is destroying it in this playoffs where he has single-handedly carried the Warriors’ load against the league’s best defense.
Without the support of the absent Durant or the best versions of his partners Klay Thompson and Draymond Green, Curry is being able to average a stratospheric 34.3 points against the Celtics, with 50% shooting from the field, 6.3 three-pointers, 6.3 rebounds and 3.8 assists.
Boston to look to Tatum and Brown
On the other side, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are far from Curry’s numbers, averaging 22 points apiece, but they are solidly leading a Celtics team eager to reach the 18th ring in its history and first since 2008.
The young forward duo is making an impact on both ends of the court, although Tatum has not yet been at his best, stuck in front of Andrew Wiggins’ marking and in constant tension with the referees.
Tatum’s shooting efficiency (33.4%) has plummeted compared to previous playoffs, when he shined against superstars such as Durant (Nets), Giannis Antetokounmpo (Bucks) or Jimmy Butler (Heat).
Coach Ime Udoka has publicly asked him to stop focusing on forcing fouls from his defenders. Waiting for his inspiration to return, the three-time All-Star forward is playing a facilitator role with a personal-best 7.8 assists in these Finals.
“It’s my fault. I have to be better,” Tatum acknowledged after Game 4. “I know I influence the game in other ways, but I have to be more efficient, shoot the ball better, finish better at the rim. I’m looking forward to Monday.”