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The Golden State Warriors looked to be in cruise control in Game 1 of the NBA Finals, carrying a 12-point lead over the Boston Celtics into the fourth quarter at the Chase Center on Thursday night. However, the Warriors got their lunch money stolen by the Celtics, who beat them at their own game in the fourth quarter to steal a victory in the series' first game.
It was a shocking loss, especially given how the first three quarters of the contest went. After the game, Warriors forward Draymond Green downplayed the Celtics' comeback, saying that the Warriors “pretty much dominated the game for the first 41, 42 minutes.” He finished by saying that the Dubs would be “fine.”
While the Warriors might not have dominated, they certainly appeared to have the game in hand once the second half resumed. Poor fourth quarter aside, their strong play in the first three quarters is enough to have faith that they'll bounce back in Game 2- and beyond.
With an experienced head coach, core of players and a superstar leader at the top of his game, the Warriors should be expected to bounce back.
Here are three reasons why there's no need for the Warriors to panic after their Game 1 NBA Finals loss to the Celtics.
3 Reasons Warriors Don't Need To Panic After Game 1 Loss
3. The Warriors have more experience
Obviously, the Celtics showed great resilience in their fourth quarter comeback. Moments like that build invaluable playoff experience. However, that is exactly what these Warriors have in spades: NBA Playoff and Finals experience.
The Warriors are in the NBA Finals for the sixth time in eight years. On their roster, they boast a combined 123 games of Finals experience compared to the Celtics' zero. It doesn't mean that the Dubs are guaranteed a win just because they've been here before.
What it does mean, however, is that moments like these- a Game 1, fourth quarter collapse- aren't going to break the Dubs. While Green came off as cocky and dismissive of the Celtics, it's likely that he was more so showing confidence in he and his teammates' ability to bounce back- because of their wealth of experience.
Golden State has a history of bouncing back from these very moments, as they are 4-0 in the postseason in Game 2's following a Game 1 loss under Steve Kerr. Simply put, they adjust better than almost any other team.
They have a history of doing so and it would be surprising if they didn't in Game 2 against the Celtics.
2. Two key Warriors stars will play better in Game 2
Three of the Warriors' key players didn't put their best foot forward in the Game 1 loss. Draymond Green, who fouled out, shot just 2-for-12 from the field and had only five assists. Jordan Poole, who has been excellent this postseason, scored just nine points on 2 of 7 shooting.
While Green is normally more of a distributor on offense, he is still able to make defenses pay if given the opportunity. His shots simply weren't falling on Thursday night. Poole just didn't have it either.
However, if there's anything worth counting on, it's that these Warriors will put together better performances in Game 2 of the NBA Finals. Golden State's chances of victory will improve greatly with more locked-in versions of Green and Poole.
1. Stephen Curry came to play
Stephen Curry went off for 21 first-quarter points, including six threes, en route to a 34-point night. Curry's 21 first quarter points in Game 1 are the most in a quarter of an NBA Finals game since Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan had 22 in the fourth quarter of a Finals contest against the Phoenix Suns in 1993, per ESPN.
In other words, the Celtics, whose defense has been able to flummox each offense they've come across in these playoffs, had no answer for Curry. Screens were giving the Celtics trouble, with Curry catching and firing off of each one.
Boston made adjustments in the second half to deny Curry space, both before and after the screener arrived. It worked- and the Warriors star was much less effective.
However, one can bet that the Dubs will find different ways to get Curry his in Game 2- and beyond. If Curry plays like he did on Thursday night in the earlier parts of the contest, the Celtics may have to just tip their cap to the greatest shooter who has ever stepped onto a basketball court. There's no need for the Warriors to panic when Curry is firing on all cylinders.
