BOSTON—Do-or-die basketball has arrived in the NBA Finals. The Boston Celtics are in a must win situation in Game 6. They will host the Golden State Warriors in the first elimination game of the series.
New England’s basketball franchise is down three games to two. If the Warriors secure one more victory, they will earn their fourth NBA championship in eight seasons.
However, this will not be an easy task. Celtics forward Al Horford says his team has been on the brink of elimination before. And they will not back down.
“The way that this team is, there’s just too much fight (in them). There (are) guys that are just competitive,” Horford said to the media after Celtics practice Wednesday. “I’m confident with our guys. I’m confident that they’ll come out and we will respond … we feel good about our group.”
Horford has been a veteran presence for the Celtics all season long. In his first NBA finals appearance during his 15-year career, he is averaging 11 points and seven rebounds per contest.
Multiple factors will be necessary for the Celtics to win Game 6.
Protecting the basketball
The Celtics are averaging 15 turnovers per game in this year’s NBA Finals. In two of the three games they have lost in the series, they committed 18 turnovers in each match.
Boston only committed 12 turnovers in their two victories (Games 1 and 3).
Celtics backup guard Derrick White was asked if fatigue played a possible role as to why the team has struggled taking care of the basketball.
For him and the Celtics, there are no excuses.
“It’s Game 6 of the NBA Finals. We don’t really (have) a choice to be tired (or not),” White said Wednesday. “We can rest this summer … We don’t have an option to be tired.”
It’s a simple concept for Boston—take better care of the basketball.
If the Celtics can commit 12-13 turnovers or less, they will be in a prime position to protect the parquet floor of the TD Garden.
Tatum and Brown both contributing
In Game 6 of the Celtics’ semifinal series against the Milwaukee Bucks, Jayson Tatum erupted for 46 points and seven three-pointers.
Star guard Jaylen Brown scored 22 points and the Celtics held off elimination in Milwaukee, defeating the Bucks 108-95.
That is the type of performance the Celtics will need from their two franchise cornerstones to force a Game 7 back in the Bay Area.
Boston’s top two scorers have combined for an average of 49 points per game in the 2022 NBA Playoffs.
Jayson Tatum has emerged as a star. Now with that status, he must answer the call in what is the most important game of his young career.
“My thought process is (doing) whatever it takes to win,” Tatum said. “It’s not over with. So as long as it’s not over with, you (have) a chance … We know what’s at stake and everybody in that locker room (understands) what’s on the line.”
Nevertheless, Jaylen Brown must prove why he was an early candidate for the Finals MVP trophy. He is averaging 21 points and seven rebounds per game.
“We’re looking forward to Game 6,” Brown said Wednesday. “We are not scared. We do not fear the Golden State Warriors. We want to come out and play the best version of basketball that we can.”
Marcus Smart must step up
Now as the Celtics’ starting point guard, all eyes will be on Marcus Smart.
He looks to bounce back after committing four turnovers in Boston’s 104-94 loss to Golden State in Game 5 on Monday.
From Smart’s perspective, the Celtics’ constant message to play with urgency is something they have grown accustomed to.
“We’ve been doing it all season. We’ve been on that back end of catching up with everybody else (in the league), ” Smart said. “We’ve kind of been forced to play with our backs against the wall. We got real used to it.”
Although, Smart has proven he can be a very reliable scorer (which Boston will need every bit of), he must be able to facilitate the offense and set the tone on both ends of the floor.
If he is racking up assists, it gives the Celtics less of a chance to turn the ball over. So far in the NBA Finals, Smart is averaging about four assists per game. He needs to at least double that to help give Boston a puncher’s chance in Game 6.
“It’s just going out there and executing whatever it is you’re doing to the best of your ability,” Smart said Wednesday. “When you’re going up against some of the greats (Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, etc.) the margin of error is very small.”
Smart has been the heart and soul of the Celtics for eight full seasons. His passion and intensity will undoubtedly be at its highest—when the season is on the line.
Upcoming schedule
Game 6 of the 2022 NBA Finals between the Celtics and Warriors will be at the TD Garden in Boston on Thursday night. Tipoff is scheduled for 9 p.m. EST.
If the Celtics win, Game 7 will be on Sunday at the Chase Center in San Francisco. Game time is set for 8 p.m. EST.
