One more game for GSW

With a 10-point winning margin and a 3-2 series lead, the Golden State Warriors are a victory away from clinching the 2022 NBA championships. This could be the Warriors’ 7th league title, after their 2018 championship run.  But Game 6 will shift back to Boston on Friday and the Celtics will surely regroup and try to extend the series to a deciding Game 7.

GSW’s big 3 of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green have championship experience and it showed yesterday.  Except for that burst 10-0 of energy to open the third quarter, the Celtics often got carried away with the officiating, badly missed their free throws and committed several turnovers.  FTs are crucial as you’re given the chance to score with the game clock stopped. 

After a 3-point shot by Jordan Poole to end the third quarter, the Warriors opened the fourth with their own 10-0 run and Boston never recovered.

Andrew Wiggins is this Finals’ x-factor and with Curry scoring an uncharacteristic 16 points, Wiggs topped the scoring for the Warriors with 26 points coupled with 13 rebounds.  Klay added 21 and Green had 8.  Wiggs averages a solid 18.4 points in the series and 9.4 rebounds.

The Warrior bench outscored the Celtic bench, 31-9, with Gary Payton II contributing 16 points and Poole with 14.

And talking about big 3s, GSW’s trio had passed San Antonio’s legendary threesome of Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker as the winningest trio in league Finals history.  Tim, Manu and Tony had 19 wins but with yesterday’s Gm 5 win, Steph, Klay and Dray recorded their 20th.

Seldom in any league that star trios can stick together but the Spurs showed the way with their Big 3, winning 4 NBA titles.  Willingness to sacrifice and unselfishness contributes to their durability.  GSW’s trio can also have their 4th title on Friday and tie San Antonio’s successful trinity.

I’m going for a deciding seventh game with the Warriors winning their fourth title in seven years.  Of course, Boston can change the script and raise their 18th championship banner after 14 years.