Taking one game in a seven game NBA playoff series and blowing it out of proportion is not something that is uncommon in the basketball media. Without taking away the value and importance of the first game in the series, adjustments is what Playoff basketball is all about, and the Warriors are at experts at tweaking minor details game by game.
The first thing that stood out to me is that the Celtics benefitted greatly from the presence of Robert Williams. Aside from Williams' outstanding defensive versatility and ability, having a lob-threat in the NBA is almost a luxury now, something that the Warriors do not have. He had three buckets that punished the Warriors' lack of vertical play, none bigger than the dunk off the lob from Jaylen Brown, with little under than ten minutes left to play in the fourth, giving the Celtics a little bit more breathing room with a five point lead. Though his eight points certainly do not jump out to someone reading the box score, having someone who can pose as a lob-threat opens up the pick-and-roll for ball-handlers like Tatum, Brown, and Smart. It forces the defense to truly pick their poison in two-on-one situations with Williams in the dunker spots, making the Celtics much more deadly. This is an ability that a player like Looney simply does not posses.
For all of Jordan Poole's incredible moments, his youth is still evident in these Playoffs. With about a minute and 30 seconds remaining in the third quarter and the Warriors up 15 with no numbers in transition, Poole opted to put his head down leading to a costly turnover and a Jaylen Brown bucket over Draymond Green. Slowing it down on that possession and getting a quality shot on that possession for the Warriors almost felt like the game could be out of reach at that point as the Warriors were snatching the life out of the Celtics. However, the steal by Tatum and finish was one of the many plays that kept the Celtics afloat until they were able to mount a big comeback.
Marcus Smart's leadership was on full display. There was a stretch through the third and the fourth when the Celtics began to make the comeback that many fans were probably left wondering where the Defensive Player of the Year, Marcus Smart was. Perhaps he was injured, nope. He was on the bench, letting second year Payton Pritchard shine in the finals. Pritchard did not do anything extraordinary, but he hit open shots and did not turn the ball over. Carrying the momentum on for the Celtics until finally they were able to grasp the lead. Marcus Smarts' ability to understand and trust both Pritchard as well as Udoka's decision was a big factor in the win, and he certainly deserves more credit for his behavior than he has been receiving.
Prediction: It is almost inevitable that the Warriors will have a big night on Sunday, it's not unfair to say that Curry will likely come out with the same performance as Thursday night. However, with a better game from Tatum and more "average" performances from players like Horford and White, we are for sure in for a good game. I expect the Celtics to win it, 110-106.
Comments