BOSTON — The Golden State Warriors delivered a masterclass in closing out an NBA Finals on the highway.
After a gradual begin through which the Boston Celtics opened a 12-point lead, the Warriors took management with an offensive outburst and defensive clinic that staggered the Celtics and silenced the crowed at TD Backyard.
Golden State dealt with Boston 103-90 in Recreation 6 of the NBA Finals, claiming its fourth title in eight seasons and first since 2018.
Steph Curry, who demoralized Boston along with his taking pictures within the collection, crushed the Celtics with one 3-pointer after one other. He had 34 factors on 12-for-21 taking pictures, together with 6-for-11 on 3s.
It was Curry’s fifth 30-point recreation of the Finals, incomes his first Finals MVP.
It was a brutal manner for the Celtics to study a lesson. They led 14-2, and a Recreation 7 appeared doable.
However the Warriors’ championship pedigree flattened Boston. Golden State went on a 35-8 run, constructed a 54-33 lead simply earlier than halftime and by no means let Boston make it a recreation within the second half.
Listed here are 4 key takeaways from Golden State’s title-clinching win:
Golden State 3s
From the group that revolutionized 3-point taking pictures within the NBA, it’s not a shock the Warriors placed on a taking pictures show from that distance.
Late within the third quarter, the Warriors had made 16 3s on 53.3% taking pictures.
Whereas Curry led the cost, each Warriors starter, together with Draymond Inexperienced, made at the very least two 3-pointers. Andrew Wiggins made 4 3s, and Jordan Poole had three off the bench.
Boston turnovers problematic once more
Celtics coach Ime Udoka bemoaned his group’s turnovers all through the playoffs. It grew to become a well-known chorus after nearly each Celtics loss.
In Recreation 6, Boston dedicated a series-high 23 turnovers, main to twenty Warriors factors. That adopted 18 turnovers in Recreation 5, 16 in Recreation 4 and 19 in Recreation 2.
Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown had 5 every. Within the fourth quarter, when the Celtics had a mini-run, they nonetheless had 5 turnovers — possessions that would’ve had an impression on the result.
Staff effort from the Warriors
5 Warriors scored in double figures. Poole had 15 factors, Inexperienced had 12 factors, 12 rebounds and eight assists and Wiggins punctuated his spectacular Finals with 18 factors, six rebounds, 5 assists, 4 steals and three blocks. His protection on Tatum and different Celtics was a major consider Golden State’s championship.
Klay Thompson added 12 factors.
Because the collection progressed, Golden State emerged with extra choices offensively and defensively, and the Celtics didn’t have sufficient solutions for Curry, Golden State’s depth and offensive and defensive execution.
Offense dries up for Celtics
Boston’s offense was inconsistent within the Finals, and Golden State deserves credit score for that. The Warriors are bodily, have good fingers and stable perimeter defenders with Inexperienced anchoring the protection.
Scoring was troublesome for Tatum and Brown, and the Celtics had bother discovering sufficient scorers after them. Tatum was 5-for-14, Marcus Sensible 2-for-9 and Derrick White 1-for-6 taking pictures by way of three quarters.
Tatum had simply 13 factors — simply two within the second half.
Had it not been for Al Horford’s 19-point, 14-rebound efficiency, the sport would’ve been over lengthy earlier than each groups emptied their benches late within the fourth quarter.
Golden State’s bench outscored Boston’s 21-5.
Observe Jeff Zillgitt on Twitter @JeffZillgitt.
