NEWSLETTER
The NBA Finals are here, and we’ve got a fantastic matchup between the Golden State Warriors and the Boston Celtics on tap tonight. The NBA Playoffs often lacked excitement, but I doubt that anyone will feel that way about these NBA Finals. The Warriors and Celtics matchup so tightly that it might be impossible not to have a fun series. Boston ranked No. 1 in the NBA in defensive rating during the regular season. Golden State ranked No. 2 in defensive rating. Both sides finished in the top 10 in three-point makes and attempts.
As The Ringer’s Zack Kram pointed out in his column this morning, the Warriors and the Celtics also check in with largely homegrown rosters. Only the Memphis Grizzlies had more homegrown talent on their roster in these playoffs than the Celtics and Warriors. In a day and age in which super teams are assembled through massive contracts and blockbuster trades, this is a refreshing change of pace.
Despite sharing a bevy of similarities, these two rosters enter tonight’s series on polar opposite levels of experience. Golden State is making its sixth Finals appearance in the last eight seasons. Boston is making their first Finals appearance since 2010. Will the old guard Warriors return to glory, or will the new blood Celtics begin their own reign of dominance?
The Finals are forever…
The 2022 #NBAFinals presented by @YouTubeTV between the @celtics & @warriors begin TONIGHT with Game 1 at 9:00pm/et on ABC! 🏆 pic.twitter.com/voiItOGWIA
— NBA (@NBA) June 2, 2022
Broadcast Info & Game/Series Details
Tip: 8:00 PM (CT)
TV: ABC
Location: Chase Center, San Francisco, Ca.
Series: TIED 0-0
Odds: GSW -4, O/U 213.5
Starting Lineups
Boston Celtics
1. Marcus Smart
2. Jaylen Brown
3. Jayson Tatum
4. Al Horford
5. Robert Williams III
Injury Report: Robert Williams III DTD (knee)
Golden State Warriors
1. Stephen Curry
2. Klay Thompson
3. Andrew Wiggins
4. Draymond Green
5. Kevon Looney
Injury Report: Gary Payton II DTD (elbow), Andre Iguodala QST (neck), Otto Porter Jr. DTD (foot), James Wiseman OUT (knee)
Pre-Game Reading
Doesn't it feel like the Warriors always pull away in the 4th quarter at home in these playoffs? Looked it up: In the 5 Chase playoff games that were in doubt going into the final period, the Warriors were a cumulative +44 in the 4th quarter. https://t.co/NPPum5bv7R
— Tim Kawakami (@timkawakami) June 2, 2022
Not since Michael Jordan faced Magic Johnson have two NBA Finals opponents been as homegrown as these Warriors and Celtics.
Before Game 1 tips off, I wrote about these anachronistic rosters:https://t.co/8TJudqhQEP
— Zach Kram (@zachkram) June 2, 2022
🏀 Who is the best player in the NBA Finals?
🏀 Whose legacy will be impacted the most?
🏀 Who wins and in how many games?Our @ringernba crew answers these questions and more on the eve of Game 1 of the NBA Finals:https://t.co/5XdujeYJ4c
— The Ringer (@ringer) June 1, 2022
