The NBA Finals are tied at 1 a-piece heading into Boston and Golden State have one man to thank for getting one back in Game 2.
Steph Curry has been a one man band so far this series, crushing any doubters that he doesn’t have the ability to go to the next level in the NBA Finals.
Curry posted 34 points in a Game 1 loss, a late game capitulation by the Warriors (and all-time 4th Qtr performance from Al Horford and Jaylen Brown).
Steph then followed up his opening act with 29 Points, 6 Rebounds and 4 Assists in just over 30 minutes in a Game 2 blow-out win.
The Celtics got what they wanted out of the first two games in San Francisco.
Take one of the opening two games and hold home court in Games 3 and 4.
Boston have been all over the shop at home these playoffs though, losing 2 of their 3 home games against the Heat at home, as well as dropping 2 at home to Milwaukee.
In saying that, this team is yet to lose 2 games in a row in the playoffs, and have bounced back in fairly convincing fashion on the back of a loss.
Game 3 is of huge importance to this Celtics team.
They’ve taken home court away from Golden State and need to get a jump on the Warriors as early as possible.
Boston is known to have one of the rowdiest crowds in the league, and if their team gets a lead early, they’ll carry them through to the finish line.
You can’t have yourself an advantage in a series against a team like Golden State and just hand it right back to them at the first possible chance at home.
Klay Thompson hasn’t been himself in this series thus far, combing for 26 points on 4-15 from 3 point range over the first 2 games.
Klay’s struggles are another reason Boston need to win Game 3 before Klay begins to catch fire, as we all know how big time Game 6 Klay is if it gets there!
The series itself has a lot of spice in it, and look no further than Draymond Green stirring the pot.
Draymond is clearly the heart and soul of this team, but he also plays with fire and may not get looked after as much in Boston if he continues to push the envelope.
You get the feeling Steph may need to pull him in line, albeit without losing his competitive streak, to give them a chance at stealing one right back in Boston.
Just like Draymond, Marcus Smart and Al Horford are key cogs to this Celtics team, energisers on the defensive end of the floor and known to hit big shots when they’re needed.
In Game 1 that was the case, with Al going off for 26 Points on 6-8 from 3, and Smart going for 18 Points on 4-7 from 3.
Fast forward to Game 2 and the two combined for 4 Points on 2-10 from the field.
Granted they aren’t known to give you close to 20 a night, but the 2 will be needed to make open looks to help the likes of Tatum and Brown get going to give this team an edge.
This Series is tied heading into Boston, and will likely be tied heading out of Boston!
Boston will look to take Game 3, while the Warriors manage to close out a tight one in Game 4 and go back home tied at 2 a-piece.
The Warriors only manage to get one back if Klay finds something in his arsenal, as you can’t see Steph pulling out a road win in Boston on his own without any help!
Our 7 game series to end what’s been a great season of basketball is still well and truly a chance as long as we are tied up!!
Cheers
Bauky