The convincing 120-108 victory by the Boston Celtics was a statement in Game 1 of the NBA Finals. The Warriors dominated for most of the game and even held a 15-point lead in the game. The Celtics remained in striking distance throughout the game and pounced when the opportunity arose. Outscoring the Warriors 40-16 in the fourth quarter, Boston took complete control of the game. Flipping the switch and providing a level of defense the Warriors were unable to match, the Celtics cruised to a victory.

The work is far from over with the Celtics holding a 1-0 series lead. Golden State is an incredibly experienced playoff team and is sure to have its sights set on bouncing back. As the two teams prepare for Game 2 on Sunday, here are three predictions for what to expect from the Celtics.

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Boston Celtics: 3 bold predictions for Game 2 of 2022 NBA Finals vs. Warriors

Jayson Tatum Scores 30+ points

While Game 1 went well for the Celtics as a whole, the same cannot be said for Jayson Tatum. The Celtics superstar struggled greatly from the field and did not find a rhythm in scoring the ball. Tatum ended with 12 points and shot 3 for 17 (17.6%) from the field overall. The Warriors deserve credit for doing a solid defensive job on the Celtics forward. He also simply missed some looks he usually can be counted on to knock down.

This does not change that Tatum had a great impact in Game 1. He found ways to help the team despite struggling with his shooting touch. Tatum connected on a career-high 13 assists in the victory.

He also played effective defense and added five rebounds. As talented of an offensive weapon that Jayson Tatum is, these shooting struggles cannot be expected to continue. Look for him to snap out of it in a major way and get back to the dynamic offensive threat that he is.

Grant Williams Hits 2 Three-Pointers

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Grant Williams has established himself as a fan favorite through this playoff run. From knocking down seven three-pointers in the Game 7 victory over the Bucks to consistently putting his body on the line to take a charge, Williams has become an important part of the Celtics. His tendency to get into foul trouble has been an issue in the Heat series. However, the Warriors don't play with the same level of physicality.

In Game 1, Grant Williams played 16 minutes but was held scoreless. He added 3 assists and 3 rebounds but was 0-2 from the field and missed his only three-point attempt. The Tennessee product is the type of role player that can change the momentum of a game in a major way. Look for Williams to get more involved in the offense. The Celtics are at their best when Williams is connecting. Knocking down two three-pointers should not be a tall task for a guy who shot 41.1% on three-pointers this season.

Celtics Hold Steph Curry Under 25 points

While the Warriors' offense is typically known for its variety of weapons, this was not the case in Game 1. Steph Curry led the Warriors in scoring with 34 points. No other Golden State player scored more than 20 points. The Celtics made some notable adjustments throughout the game to cut his impact. Curry scored 21 first-quarter points before being slowed down in his production. Boston made the head-scratching decision to go under screens in the opening minutes which Curry capitalized on with ease.

The strategy of forcing the other Warriors players to beat them is likely one both teams are prepared to put to the test. It has been the calling card of the Warriors to have this multitude of options to score the ball. However, the dynamic Celtics' defense limits the number of favorable matchups they can take advantage of. Boston should have faith in each of their defenders to be able to hold their own and take Curry out of the game. It seems possible that the Warriors cannot win without dominant performances from Steph Curry. The Celtics should test this.

The Game 1 victory is an extremely impressive result for Boston. This was the Warriors' first home loss in the postseason and only the third loss in a Game 1 of the postseason in the Steve Kerr era (21-3 overall). The Celtics cannot afford to be satisfied with this and must continue to make adjustments moving forward. While they have stolen home-court advantage, the franchise still needs to win three more games to secure their ultimate goal. The Warriors will surely be prepared on Sunday and Boston must be ready for the new challenge.