The Golden State Warriors did what they’ve done for 27 consecutive playoff series now.
They won a road game.
It was a significant win as now the Warriors are heading back to San Francisco tied 2-2 in the NBA Finals, rather than being down 1-3 against the best defensive team in the league.
Friday’s 107-97 win at the TD Garden ensured we will get a Game 6 in this series, and it also added to the legacy of Steph Curry, whose 43 points and 10 rebounds (almost) single-handedly carried the Warriors to the win.
Curry got some help from Andrew Wiggins who chipped in with 17 points and 16 rebounds, but Draymond Green was once again a non-factor offensively for the Warriors, finishing with two points, nine rebounds and eight assists.
For the Celtics, their issues were the same that have plagued them already in the playoffs — hello, turnovers.
What are going to be some of the key things to watch for this Game 5 at the Chase Center? We’ve got you covered right here.
Wardell Stephen Curry
If the Golden State Warriors go on to win the title the Finals MVP will finally be Steph’s.
He has been incredible over the first four games — and he was particularly otherworldly in Game 4.
Guess that foot of his is okay after all.
He finished with 43 points (7-of-14 from beyond the arc), 10 rebounds and four assists. Curry also became the first player in NBA history to have five-plus 3-pointers made in four consecutive NBA Finals games.
Curry outscored the rest of the Warriors’ starters 43-39. He is the oldest player to do that in a Finals game since Michael Jordan in Game 6 of the 1998 NBA Finals vs the Jazz.
30 for 3️⃣0️⃣
Steph (30 PTS) knocks down his 5th 3-pointer on ABC pic.twitter.com/g36yJQ5bqs
— NBA (@NBA) June 11, 2022
Given Draymond Green’s inefficiency on the offensive end, the Warriors are essentially playing four on five on that end. Factor in Klay Thompson’s quest to find his shooting touch again and what Curry is doing is almost beyond comprehension.
As we mentioned in the intro, he almost single-handedly willed his team to that Game 4 win, and he will again be leading the charge in Game 5.
Draymond Green’s confidence
Green has made more headlines this season for his post-game comments and podcast vocation. His play on the court is certainly not suffering because of that, but it is suffering right now.
Green has become a non-factor offensively.
Through four games in the Finals, Green has shot 6-of-26 from the field, 0-of-9 from 3-point range, 5-of-10 from the charity stripe and fouled out twice, with his 18 personal fouls surpassing his 17 total points in this series.
At some points during Game 4 it appeared like he was straight up scared to shoot the ball. This was a departure from Game 1 in which Green seemed like he was trying to shoot his way out of the slump. He ended up 2-of-12 for that game.
Green said both he and the team played better in Game 4.
“I thought it was a lot better.”
Draymond Green speaks on his & the Warriors’ improved performance in Game 4. pic.twitter.com/ZOR1dSoQyI
— CBS Sports HQ (@CBSSportsHQ) June 11, 2022
The Warriors will need that old Draymond back for Game 5, though.
Speaking of help for Steph ….
Which Warriors not named Steph Curry will step up?
As amazing as Steph has been, he won’t be able to win this ‘chip on his own.
Thompson has been inconsistent and is still struggling to find his shooting touch, Jordan Poole had a decent Game 4 finishing with 14 points, but the Warriors’ second most consistent player this Finals has been Andrew Wiggins.
His 17 points and 16 rebounds were huge in Game 4 and the team will need him to replicate that again.
But who else will be able to stand tall and deliver for the Warriors?
Will Jayson Tatum have that signature Finals game
If the Celtics win the title then Tatum will more than likely be named the Finals MVP for Boston.
In the first four games, he’s averaging 22.2 points, 5.7 rebounds and 7.7 assists. He’s been very good, but he hasn’t had that singular game yet where he’s really erupted just yet.
He’s tried to counter his offensive inconsistency with his playmaking ability. But with the series now tied 2-2 and the Warriors once again holding homecourt advantage, will Tatum be able to assert himself on this series as a superstar should?
He told ESPN’s broadcast team prior to Game 5 that his signature Finals game hadn’t happened “yet” but it’s bordering on now or never time for Tatum.
Turnovers dictate Celtics’ success Pt. 3
I wrote about this prior to Game 4 and it bears mentioning again for obvious reasons.
Boston’s record when it has 15 turnovers or fewer: 14-2. Boston’s record when it has 16 turnovers or more: 0-6.
I sound like a broken record, but when the Celtics take care of the ball, they usually win games. In the two games they’ve lost this series they’ve turned the ball over carelessly.
In Game 2 they had 18 turnovers which led to 33 Warriors’ points. They protected the ball much better in Game 3 turning it over just 12 times. Golden State did score 24 points off those 12 turnovers.
In Friday’s Game 4, the C’s 16 turnovers led to 35 Warriors points.
The Warriors are probably the most dangerous team to turn the ball over to as they are so clinical in transition. Boston must continue to protect the ball for the remainder of this series as they did in Game 3.
