2022 NBA Finals - Game 5 | Golden State Warriors vs. Boston Celtics (GSW 3-2)

[giberish]

Celtics have only blitzed Curry three times all series. That's mindblowing...I think this might be the game where they get away from the drop coverage and force the other guys to beat them, or at the very least mix up their defensive coverages.

The Celtics haven't blitzed pick and rolls much all season and I think they've tried to put off doing so in this series. Not only is it something that they don't typically do, but its kind of the last card they can play to slow Curry down. It's not a silver bullet, the Warriors will probably make some good adjustments to it since blitzing Curry isn't exactly a new strategy. And once they do, that's kind of it. We saw Bud try a bunch of defensive wrinkles in the Bucks-Celtics series, but by the end he was back to their base defense with Giannis and Lopez. There just weren't any other cards to play, so you have to revert to the strategy you can execute best.

I don't disagree with anything that you're saying. I just think the Celtics have to find a way to keep the Warriors off balance, working in some aggressive double teams from time to time wouldn't be a bad idea. I only remember them blitzing Curry in the 4th and it was effective.

On one hand, Boston aggressively trapping/blitzing Curry would be a change-up for this series. On the other, most teams defend GS that way so they've got a ton of experience in how to play against it. In that sense Boston's more straight-up defense is the change-up.

[GTR11]

There is a narrative that the Celtics have absolutely nothing to lose this series because they are young and are guaranteed to be back and win titles and should contend for the next decade.

I don’t fully agree with that. While the Celtics should he good for awhile there are never any guarantees you’ll be back. With player movement the cap career altering injuries etc other teams making moves to become a dominant team windows now aren’t all that long anymore nobodies window is 10 years so once you get to the finals and get this close you want to close the deal.

not in the east, thats for sure... Bucks are coming back healthy again, Brkn may get there **** together who knows?, heat may add another Star like beal or mitchell... East is pretty stacked.

I wouldn't count out Philly either. If Harden gets his hemi right and Maxey take another step forward. They'll be legit threat to any team.

WC got young teams too. Grizzlies gave GSW all they could handle and Cuban will definitely can get Luka help.

[BoatsNZones]

There is a narrative that the Celtics have absolutely nothing to lose this series because they are young and are guaranteed to be back and win titles and should contend for the next decade.

I don’t fully agree with that. While the Celtics should he good for awhile there are never any guarantees you’ll be back. With player movement the cap career altering injuries etc other teams making moves to become a dominant team windows now aren’t all that long anymore nobodies window is 10 years so once you get to the finals and get this close you want to close the deal.

not in the east, thats for sure... Bucks are coming back healthy again, Brkn may get there **** together who knows?, heat may add another Star like beal or mitchell... East is pretty stacked.

I wouldn't count out Philly either. If Harden gets his hemi right and Maxey take another step forward. They'll be legit threat to any team.

WC got young teams too. Grizzlies gave GSW all they could handle and Cuban will definitely can get Luka help.

Not to mention Lebron/AD still play on the same team, Kawhi/PG should be back, the Nuggets will regain their health and a tough Pels team will add Zion. Not to say that everything will work perfectly for all of those teams, but the league is stacked in both conferences. You certainly have to make the most of every opportunity you earn yourself in this league.

[michaelm]

The Celtics haven't blitzed pick and rolls much all season and I think they've tried to put off doing so in this series. Not only is it something that they don't typically do, but its kind of the last card they can play to slow Curry down. It's not a silver bullet, the Warriors will probably make some good adjustments to it since blitzing Curry isn't exactly a new strategy. And once they do, that's kind of it. We saw Bud try a bunch of defensive wrinkles in the Bucks-Celtics series, but by the end he was back to their base defense with Giannis and Lopez. There just weren't any other cards to play, so you have to revert to the strategy you can execute best.

I don't disagree with anything that you're saying. I just think the Celtics have to find a way to keep the Warriors off balance, working in some aggressive double teams from time to time wouldn't be a bad idea. I only remember them blitzing Curry in the 4th and it was effective.

On one hand, Boston aggressively trapping/blitzing Curry would be a change-up for this series. On the other, most teams defend GS that way so they've got a ton of experience in how to play against it. In that sense Boston's more straight-up defense is the change-up.

It seems to me that while it makes Curry look good as an individual player and they have still been beaten in 2 games by and large they have looked more like beating GSW over 7 games than previous opponents.

[Dubnation]

I don't disagree with anything that you're saying. I just think the Celtics have to find a way to keep the Warriors off balance, working in some aggressive double teams from time to time wouldn't be a bad idea. I only remember them blitzing Curry in the 4th and it was effective.

On one hand, Boston aggressively trapping/blitzing Curry would be a change-up for this series. On the other, most teams defend GS that way so they've got a ton of experience in how to play against it. In that sense Boston's more straight-up defense is the change-up.

It seems to me that while it makes Curry look good as an individual player and they have still been beaten in 2 games by and large they have looked more like beating GSW over 7 games than previous opponents.

Exactly. I think Boston is cool with Steph scoring 60 in a loss. Most teams have similar strategies. The Dubs let Luca and Jokic have all they can eat while limiting everyone else. it's a tried and true tactic for a long time.

[ILOVEIT]

Warriors play much better when they are up against a wall. They tend to play tentative when EXPECTED to win a game.

Tonight the expectations (and pressure) are back Warriors. I ssssssssooooooooooo hope Warriors come out on fire with aggression and control the game. But personality wise Curry and the other guys tend to squander away situations with crazy games. Hope I'm wrong. I would love to see the dubs put a stamp on the series and take control tonight.

[SinceGatlingWasARookie]

Will be hard game for the Warriors. The Celtics have been invincible after a loss. Never lost back-to-back in the playoffs.

Quite a pattern but I think it ends tonight. This is a must win game for both teams. Warriors have a similar pattern. Part of these patterns are opposing teams letting down after wins. I don’t think the Warriors let down tonight because winning both game 6 and game 7 is too hard.

[ducler]

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[AussieCeltic]

Since 2015, the Celtics win percentage goes from .562% to .167% with Tony Brothers as a ref…

[DonaldSanders]

The Celtics haven't blitzed pick and rolls much all season and I think they've tried to put off doing so in this series. Not only is it something that they don't typically do, but its kind of the last card they can play to slow Curry down. It's not a silver bullet, the Warriors will probably make some good adjustments to it since blitzing Curry isn't exactly a new strategy. And once they do, that's kind of it. We saw Bud try a bunch of defensive wrinkles in the Bucks-Celtics series, but by the end he was back to their base defense with Giannis and Lopez. There just weren't any other cards to play, so you have to revert to the strategy you can execute best.

I don't disagree with anything that you're saying. I just think the Celtics have to find a way to keep the Warriors off balance, working in some aggressive double teams from time to time wouldn't be a bad idea. I only remember them blitzing Curry in the 4th and it was effective.

On one hand, Boston aggressively trapping/blitzing Curry would be a change-up for this series. On the other, most teams defend GS that way so they've got a ton of experience in how to play against it. In that sense Boston's more straight-up defense is the change-up.

The current Celtics D is also part of why Draymond looks so terrible (but I wouldn't be surprised to see a mixture of looks tonight). If Curry is getting blitzed, Draymond can be a valuable passer. If the ball is in Curry's hands more, the Celtics play 4 on 5 and leave Draymond semi-open, just avoiding him getting wide open dunks. It allows Robert Williams to roam and makes Draymond almost unplayable. Much of the Warriors' high assist rate over this season and playoffs has been based off of Curry getting blitzed and then the Warriors are smart enough to quickly pass the ball until the easy bucket is there, or Curry re-positions to an open shot.

[Edrees]

Celtics have proven me wrong many times this post season. They beat the bucks on the road down 3-2. They best Miami game 5 and game 7 in Miami when most had them losing both series, myself included.

However, I don’t think they can pull another miracle. Not against the warriors. The warriors have momentum, and going back home. Very likely that Klay, Poole and even Green have a good game

I give Celtics 10-20% of winning tonight. My predictions have been spot on, so I’m fully expecting warriors winning by double digits. I actually see this a blowout by start of 2nd half.

I'm with the same mindset. It took Celtics shooting over 50% from 3 to steal game 1 from the warriors in SF

That's what it will take for them to win. > 50% from 3. It's not impossible, but I would not bet on that to happen again , especially now after 4 grueling matchups and less fresh legs.

[Bad-Thoma]

Since 2015, the Celtics win percentage goes from .562% to .167% with Tony Brothers as a ref…

[KyRo23]

Warriors play much better when they are up against a wall. They tend to play tentative when EXPECTED to win a game.

Tonight the expectations (and pressure) are back Warriors. I ssssssssooooooooooo hope Warriors come out on fire with aggression and control the game. But personality wise Curry and the other guys tend to squander away situations with crazy games. Hope I'm wrong. I would love to see the dubs put a stamp on the series and take control tonight.

I've always felt the exact opposite. When they're feeling good, they let it fly with a lot more confidence. I don't want to say front running, but they definitely play best with a lot of confidence behind them.

[Castle Black]

There is a narrative that the Celtics have absolutely nothing to lose this series because they are young and are guaranteed to be back and win titles and should contend for the next decade.

I don’t fully agree with that. While the Celtics should he good for awhile there are never any guarantees you’ll be back. With player movement the cap career altering injuries etc other teams making moves to become a dominant team windows now aren’t all that long anymore nobodies window is 10 years so once you get to the finals and get this close you want to close the deal.

Celtics wouldn’t even be here had Khris Middleton been healthy and not missed the entire series. So yea, this narrative is obviously dumb. Nothing in life is ever guaranteed. Ever.

[Castle Black]

Jaylen Brown building a house with all those bricks

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[Castle Black]

I think the C’s get blown out tonight. Warriors smell blood and curry is unstoppable right now.

[azcatz11]

If anyone wants free money bet on the Celtics tonight +4

[Froob]

Warriors caught a nice break getting Brothers. I know everyone says so and so ref hates their team, but Brothers and the Celtics has been going on for at least a decade. Hope we don't get wrapped up in arguing with the refs tonight.

You got Scott Foster in your pocket tho

Sadly not officiating tonight haha

[NotAKnicksFan]

Boston 110 - warriors 103

[mdonnelly1989]

Warriors 110 - Boston 103