The Golden State Warriors now trail the NBA Finals best-of-seven series against the Boston Celtics 2-1 after losing Game 3, 116-100. In the loss, the Warriors were pushed around by the Celtics. Boston out-rebounded Golden State 47-31, including 15 to six in offensive rebounds.
The interior presence from Boston led to a massive advantage in points in the paint, 52-26. It's hard to overcome those types of numbers, particularly on the road. Normally, Draymond Green is the stabilizing factor for the Warriors on the interior. Even though he is just 6'7”, he plays like a seven-footer.
But in the NBA Finals, the Celtics have made him look invincible.
Through three games, the Warriors star forward has 15 points and 15 fouls.




Draymond Green this series:
15 fouls
15 points pic.twitter.com/1CNMyNuYN8— StatMuse (@statmuse) June 9, 2022
After the Game 3 loss, Green himself openly admitted to playing terribly. He finished the game with two points, four rebounds and three assists. He fouled out with under four minutes remaining in the game on a scrum under the Warriors basket.
During the play, bodies were diving for the loose ball. Celtics big man Al Horford landed on Stephen Curry's foot with bodies sprawled all over the place. Green shoved players in order to, as he said, get them off of Curry's legs.
The Warriors generally are fueled by Green's energy and intensity. But through the first three games of the NBA Finals, it has appeared that he has been more of a liability. The Celtics get to play 5-on-4 defensively, not having to guard Green. That needs to change if Golden State wants to win their fourth title in the last eight years.