BOSTON – After back-to-back losses in games 4 and 5, Boston was looking to bounce back on home court. A win would push the NBA Finals to a seventh game. A loss, however, would mean another championship for the Golden State Warriors. Golden State was looking to get back on top of the NBA mountain. Another finals championship would give them 4 in the past 8 seasons.
First Quarter
The first quarter saw Boston get off to a fast start. They opened the game going on a 14-2 scoring run. However, the Warriors showed why they have been to the NBA Finals so many times in recent years. They did not allow the slow start to get them down. Their offense kicked into gear, and they were spreading the ball around. To close out the quarter, Golden State went on an 11-0 scoring run. Draymond Green, Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Jordan Poole each scored 5 points for the Warriors. Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum were the bright spots for the Celtics. They each put up 7 points in the quarter. At the end of the quarter, Golden State held a 27-22 lead.
Second Quarter
Golden State continued its offensive dominance to start the second quarter. They scored the first 10 points of the quarter. Their scoring run was stretched to 21-0 going back to the first quarter. The Celtics responded quickly with a 7-0 scoring run of their own. Golden State’s defense then began to take over the game. Boston was struggling to take care of the ball on offense. The Warriors defense forced 8 Boston turnovers in the second quarter. Jaylen Brown carried the load on offense for the Celtics. He added 7 points in the second quarter. Golden State had 3 players each score 7 points in the second quarter. After Boston started the game up 14-2, the Warriors outscored the Celtics 52-25 for the rest of the first half. The Warriors entered halftime with a 54-39 lead.
Third Quarter
Entering the third quarter, teams that lead by at least 15 in an NBA Finals game held a record of 53-1. The Warriors were looking to make that 54-1. Early through the quarter, both teams were trading baskets. Golden State then began hitting 3-pointers every shot. They were shooting 50% from the midway through the quarter and held a 22-point lead. Boston then picked up the pace. The Celtics orchestrated a 15-2 scoring run. Jaylen Brown and Al Horford did most of the scoring for the Celtics in the quarter. Al Horford put up 12 points in the quarter to go along with 10 from Brown. Despite the scoring run from the Celtics, the Warriors were up 76-66 heading into the fourth quarter.
Fourth Quarter
Boston was looking to keep their championship hopes alive with 15 minutes left to play. They got within single digits multiple times throughout the quarter. The Warriors then showed their championship pedigree. Their physicality and defense propelled them to more offensive opportunities. The Warriors forced Boston to turn the ball over a total of 22 times throughout the game. Stephen Curry iced the game with a corner 3-pointer that. He celebrated promptly by “putting the Celtics to sleep”. The Warriors went on to win the game 103-90 for their 4th championship in the last 8 seasons.
NBA Finals MVP
The winner of the Bill Russell Finals MVP Award was Golden State Warriors point guard, Stephen Curry. Curry earned his first Finals MVP award after earning his 4th championship ring. Throughout the Finals, he averaged 31.2 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game. He now adds Finals MVP to his already impressive NBA résumé.
Key Performers
Golden State Warriors
Stephen Curry: 34 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists
Andrew Wiggins: 18 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists
Jordan Poole: 15 points, 3 3-point FG (off the bench)
Boston Celtics
Jaylen Brown: 34 points, 7 rebounds, 5 3-point FG
Al Horford: 19 points, 14 rebounds
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