via: nbcsports.com
The Golden State Warriors bounced back against the Boston Celtics in Game 2 in the Bay from Stephen Curry's 29-point performance, shooting 41 percent from the field and three-point range. This left Coach Ime Udoka and his squad on notice that the series is just getting started.
Boston now has the Warriors' backs against the wall after a commanding Game 3, winning the contest 116-100 at TD Garden. The Celtics were tough and didn't back down, especially in the 4th quarter, outscoring Golden State 23-11. And even though Steph and Klay Thompson scored a combined 56 points, it wasn't enough to take on the C's, thus leaving Golden State facing the heat as they try to get a crucial Game 4 win back in TD Garden. This heat is not unfamiliar to the Dubs, as in the 2016 Finals against Lebron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers, they were down 3-1 against the Warriors and we all know how that went down for the one-time and most likely one-time only. That being said, the Golden State Warriors must-win Game 4 to keep the scales even. This gives them that home-court advantage that can shift the series in their favor and get them closer to their 7th title. Here are the three crucial keys that'll put the Warriors in the position to snatch Game 4 from Boston.
The Dubs 3 Keys To A Must-Win in Game 4
1. Protect The Ball At All Times
The one thing that Boston and Golden State have in common in this series is that when they play well, protecting the ball, they're great; even sometimes unstoppable. But when they're sloppy and careless with the ball, it puts them further and further below their opponent. In the Dubs' case, not making turnovers and taking care of the ball is imperative. Yes, Golden State can compete defensively, as seen in Game 2 with the help of Draymond Green. However, on the surface, they are too small and do not measure up to Boston's level of defense and physicality.
So Golden State has to be hot offensively and also be careful with how they handle the ball. Turnovers disrupt that consistent offensive flow, which results in the Warriors having 30-40+ point quarters, especially in the second half rallied by Steph or others. This benefits them in that time being, but in the end, Boston can turn up defensively or play the same game on the Warriors. In the Finals, there is really no luck, so in Game 4 as long as the Dubs take care of business at the beginning with the ball, they won't find themselves in these risk-reward situations.
2. Draymond Green Must Make A Positive Impact
Draymond Green, arguably the Warriors' most important player besides Curry, has not made a significant mark for the most part in the Finals. In Game 2, in spite of getting into it with players and referees, he was the defensive vessel the Warriors needed to win by 19 points, forcing pressure and being a leader to help the rest of the team clamp Boston defensively. But In Games 1 and 3, and overall, Draymond's impact has been rather underwhelming for his team. In the Finals so far, Green has scored 15 points, shooting 26 percent from the field, zero percent from three, and 50 percent from the free-throw line. On top of that, he has as many fouls as points (15). In Game 3, Draymond was -13 on the floor, scoring only 2 points off 16% shooting with 4 rebounds and 3 assists in 35 minutes.
The bottom line is a player of this magnitude should not be performing this subpar. Draymond is not making things better either by having a "nuisance" mentality and disrupting the games with unnecessary antics. Instead of adding theatrics to the Finals, Green has to strap up and be a dominant force in all parts of Game 4. When Green facilitates, plays hard defense, and is the representation of what Golden State's basketball identity is, a lot of the Warriors' problems become non-existent.
3. Someone Other Than Curry Must Step Up
For the first time in the NBA Finals, Steph Curry is having a Finals MVP-type performance, averaging 31 points, 5 rebounds, and 3.7 assists, shooting nearly 49 percent from the field and three-point range. He has been what people imagined him to be, carrying the Warriors to their position in the Finals as the super-star he is. However, Steph's stardom alone is not enough for Golden State to pull off a Finals victory against this Celtics team.
As the series gets closer to the finish line, the Warriors have to worry more and more about Boston's advantage over them in size. Also, Boston is just as efficient from the three-point line as Golden State is, so a high level of offense and defense is needed to be ahead. The Warriors have a talented pool of guys that have the offensive and defensive intangibles to keep the momentum going in their favor when Curry, Green, and Thompson aren't enough. Still, against the Boston Celtics, the Warriors' rotations have to work in a way for those intangibles to shine through. That responsibility falls on Steve Kerr to make more adjustments, as players like Jonathan Kuminga or Gary Payton II have not had many playing minutes, both players who have the defensive intangibles Golden State can use greatly. The responsibility also falls on the players as well to play at the high level they can achieve. Jordan Poole averaged 20 points at the beginning of the playoffs, shooting as best as 63% from the field. As of late, however, his shooting numbers have dipped and he hasn't been consistent in the Finals. Andrew Wiggins is making an impact for Golden State defensively but offensively has not been consistent with his shots.
When the Warriors altogether play elite from both ends of the floor, it's a testament to their identity and how they've become who they are. The mission in Game 4 for the Golden State Warriors is to stay true to their identity and be great from start to finish to bring the series back to Oakland tied with a chance to take over.
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