Subscribe
Follow Us
The Golden State Warriors were punched in the mouth by the Boston Celtics in Game 1 and were unable to respond. Despite once leading by 15 points and having control for most of the game, the Warriors trail the series 1-0. Boston outscored the Warriors 40-16 in the fourth quarter, tying for the largest scoring margin of any quarter in Finals history. The Celtics caught fire on the offensive end and flipped a switch defensively in a way the Warriors could not match. Golden State was noticeably bothered by Boston's length and physicality.
While Game 1 was certainly a gut punch for the Warriors, there is still plenty of series remaining. They appeared level-headed after the game and will lean on their experience to right the ship. There are some notable adjustments the team will need to make, but this is not a team that backs down. Here are three bold predictions for what to expect from the Warriors in Game 2 of the 2022 NBA Finals against the Celtics.
*Watch NBA games LIVE with fuboTV (click for free trial)*
Warriors predictions for Game 2 of 2022 NBA Finals vs. Celtics
Warriors Win by 8+ Points
As was pointed out by many of the Warriors following the game, Golden State held control for most of the game. The third-quarter explosions they have become known for were put on display in the matchup. The Warriors outscored the Celtics 38-24 in the third quarter and took a 92-80 lead into the final period:
"We pretty much dominated the game for the first 41, 42 minutes. So we'll be fine."
Draymond Green after the Warriors blew a 15-point second-half lead to Celtics in Game 1 of the NBA Finals pic.twitter.com/vISCVTJ6Wv
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) June 3, 2022
Unfortunately, the Warriors were unable to finish the job. It takes a complete 48 minutes of effective play to win in the NBA Finals, and this was not the case in Game 1. The experienced roster is sure to make adjustments and knows what it takes to win. Expect the Warriors to have a bounce-back effort and never take their foot off the gas. The Game 1 loss was the Warriors' first loss at home during the postseason, and they will be sure not to let this happen again. No one expected the series to be easy for either side, so the Warriors will be determined to tie the series up.
Jonathan Kuminga Cracks the Rotation
Steve Kerr is known for his flexibility with his rotations. He is not afraid to toss in a cold player who has not played in a few games if he believes it gives the team the best chance. In Game 1, he kept the bench unit short and played just Jordan Poole, Otto Porter Jr., and Andre Iguodala notable minutes. While several new faces (Kuminga included) were subbed in for the final minute, the game was already decided at this point.
It was especially surprising to see Andre Iguodala get such notable minutes. The veteran made his return from a left cervical disk injury for the Finals but had not played Since Game 4 of the opening round against the Nuggets. While it is obvious to trim the bench rotation, expect Kerr to think outside the box in Game 2.
The Warriors were noticeably troubled by Boston's length and physicality in Game 1. One guy who could help change this is Jonathan Kuminga. Giving him time in the lineup alongside the Warriors' key pieces would add a nice splash of athleticism. Kuminga is also a capable defender who would be able to switch across the entire Celtics roster. The 19-year-old has shown positive flashes throughout the season and in the playoffs. His 6-foot-8, 210-pound frame may be needed against this Celtics team, and Steve Kerr would be wise to give him a run in limited bursts.
Furthermore, don't be surprised if Gary Payton II gets some tick, especially if Jordan Poole struggles again.
Klay Thompson hits 5+ 3-pointers
Steph Curry had a fairly impressive performance in Game 1. He ended with 34 points, five assists, five rebounds, and shot 7-of-14 on 3-pointers. He cooled down after his 21-point first quarter but was still effective overall. Beyond Curry, the Warriors greatly struggled. Andrew Wiggins was second on the Warriors with 20 points, while Klay Thompson added 15.
The Warriors obviously need more across the board, but a great deal of the responsibility falls on Klay Thompson. His ability to move off-ball and convert on catch-and-shoot opportunities is vital to the Warriors' offense. Thompson was 6-of-14 from the field and 3-of-7 on 3-point attempts in Game 1. Thompson averaged 9.3 3-point attempts per game in the regular season and is at 8.8 perimeter shots per game in the postseason. Golden State is in need of more offensive firepower, so Klay Thompson must take it upon himself to provide it.
The lengthy Celtics defense clearly created issues for the Warriors in Game 1, so Golden State must make adjustments to combat this. While they did a solid job of this for most of the game, Boston made its own adjustments the Warriors were unable to match. Getting Thompson more involved should be high on the Warriors' list of priorities. Look for the catch-and-shoot opportunities to be a point of emphasis and for the veteran to capitalize.
