Well, I can\u2019t say I\u2019m surprised. Not that I saw a 40-16 or a 35-14 quarter coming for Boston or Golden State respectively, but with how well Boston has played on the road all postseason, an early split is no shocker. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
*Insert Dennis Green “They are who we thought they were!” GIF*<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Now, things get interesting. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Boston has yet to lose two straight in the playoffs. Golden State seemed to have cracked the code a bit, at least defensively, in Game 2. Let\u2019s look at a few key factors that may decide this crucial Game 3.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Steph Curry has been absolutely phenomenal throughout the first two games of this series, on both sides of the ball. <\/em>He\u2019s averaging 31.5\/5.5\/4.5 on 45\/46\/81 shooting splits. I mean, come on. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n The problem for the Warriors in Game 1 \u2014 and most of Game 2 \u2014 was the lack of help from anyone. Not a single player is averaging more than 15 points. What about Klay Thompson? His shooting splits are a disaster: 30% from two and 26% from downtown. Yes, Jordan Poole (friend of the brand) hit an epic buzzer-beater. Yes, he stepped up for a spurt. But Steph needs a consistent Number 2 option if they want to beat this talented Celtics roster.<\/p>\n\n\n\n My money is still on Klay figuring it out sooner rather than later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tatum and Brown have yet to put their stamps on this series. Brown has been good (arguably great) but is still turning the ball over and only had 2 points in the second half of Game 2. Tatum got the shot going, but hasn\u2019t been able to take over the game in stretches as he did in every other series throughout this Celtics\u2019 playoff run. The series is 1-1 because of Horford, White, and Smart going crazy from downtown in Game 1. If the Celtics can get a dominant and relentless performance from these two instead of the turnover-prone and quiet stretches we\u2019ve seen so far, they have a chance to take control. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Every time they\u2019ve needed him, Tatum has responded in a huge way after a loss, can he do it again in Game 3? <\/p>\n\n\n\n The coaching match-up has yet to disappoint. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Steve Kerr pushed all the right buttons in Game 2 to adjust from the Game 1 defeat and it lead to a dominating performance. I expect to see the same from Ime Udoka in Game 3. How does he respond to the heavy and effective utilization of Gary Payton II? Does he adjust Robert Williams’s minutes as he is struggling to move and remain effective with an injured knee? For the Warriors, how long does Kerr trust Klay? Does he have a shorter leash after how effective GP2 and Poole were in game 2 or does he let his guy figure it out? <\/p>\n\n\n\n All I know is, that these two are both in the lab cooking up a plan of attack and I can\u2019t wait to see what the result is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Tatum\u2019s coronation is tonight. I\u2019m calling a 40 bomb. Boston takes the 2-1 lead. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Name the four NBA teams who have made the NBA Finals six times in an eight-season span. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Well, I can\u2019t say I\u2019m surprised. Not that I saw a 40-16 or a 35-14 quarter coming for Boston or Golden State respectively, but with how well Boston has played on the road all postseason, an early split is no shocker. *Insert Dennis Green “They are who we thought they were!” GIF* Now, things get […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":18037,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[797,45],"tags":[651],"class_list":["post-18036","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-editorial","category-nba-basketball","tag-nba-basketball"],"yoast_head":"\nWhich version of the Jays do we get?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Who wins the chess match? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
big-time Prediction<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Trivia Question<\/h2>\n\n\n\n