The Boston Celtics are currently just one loss away from losing the NBA Finals.
They fell to the Golden State Warriors on Monday night and now the series stands at 3-2 before heading back to Bean Town on Thursday night.
In other words, it’s win or go home for the Celtics.
How have the Warriors pushed things to this point?
After a season of being one of the best in the league, what is Boston lacking right now that has them at the steps of complete defeat?
The Celtics averaged 111.8 points per game in the regular season
The Warriors are now holding them to 103 points per game in the NBA Finals
— Dalton Johnson (@DaltonJ_Johnson) June 14, 2022
It all has to do with defense.
The Warriors are just smothering the Celtics.
During the regular season, the Celtics averaged 111.8 points per game.
But during the Finals, the Celtics are only putting up 103 points per game.
That’s a huge drop-off for Boston and something they’ll need to combat in Game 6 or else the season is over.
Warriors Won’t Quit
The Celtics were the best defensive team in the league this year.
They also have this season’s Defensive Player of the Year with Marcus Smart.
Yet, it’s them who are feeling the heat and the pressure of intense defense right now.
The Warriors are no slouches and are capable of shutting down opponents.
But they have taken it to a whole other level during the Finals, minimizing the power of the Celtics at the most important part of the season.
Do the Celtics have what it takes to turn things around in Game 6?
They certainly don’t want to lose the Finals – especially at home – but they are having a tough time finding their shots.
You saw it again and again on Monday night as Boston was having a heck of a time finding buckets anywhere.
No matter where they set up their shots, the Warriors were there to shut them down.
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