There is already a big difference between the intensity of a regular season game and that of a playoff series. But it’s almost even more important between an NBA Finals game and any other game. The challenge and the pressure are so high that some teams, not necessarily prepared for it, take the broth during the title matches. What will happen for this year’s poster, between the Golden State Warriors and the Boston Celtics?
Let’s say there is a SMALL difference in experience in terms of participation in the NBA Finals between the two teams… On the Warriors side, if we add the number of Finals matches played, we arrive at… 123, between the Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, Kevon Looney et Andre Iguodala. As for the Boston Celtics, it’s simple: no one has ever reached the NBA Finals or played on the biggest stage on the planet.
This is where we will see if the relative freshness and youth of the Celtics will be an asset or a handicap at this level. The Warriors, on the other hand, will most likely have no questions when the time comes. It is the privilege of having reached the Finals 6 times over the last 8 seasons and won three rings out of five possible at present.
Start of response during game 1 in San Francisco, Thursday night, at 3 am French time. Nothing better as a baptism of fire for Boston than an inaugural meeting in the boiling Chase Center.
The Celtics win game 7 and find the Finals 12 years later!