NBA Finals: Game 5 Predictions
Photo: Kyle Terada/USA Today Sports, via Reuters
BOSTON — After Boston's Al Horford landed awkwardly on Steph Curry's ankle late in Game 3, many wondered the significance of the injury. However, the injury turned into a blur as it didn't seem to bother Curry during Friday night's game where he scored 43 pts helping the Warriors tie the series 2-2 with his masterpiece performance. It was an unexpected turnout from the star player after the suspected injury but Curry cut off the speculation and played 41 minutes in front of a rowdy Boston crowd. Curry made 14 of his 26 field goal attempts and seven of 14 attempts from three. While he was efficient it was not an easy battle against NBA’s number one defense, Boston. The Celtics tried to keep the score close as Jayson Tatum scored 23 pts, Jaylen Brown 21 pts, Marcus Smart put up 18 pts, and big man Al Horford scored just 8 pts. The Boston’s defense was stellar but Curry’s efficiency was unbeatable as he shot 7-for-12 (58.3%) on 2-point shots and 7-of-14 (50%) on 3-point shots in Game 4. Not only did he make the same number of 2s and 3s, he was also assisted at the same rate on both shot types (42.9%). Let’s face it, this turnout is not to be expected every game and teammate Klay Thompson is well aware as he reveals,
“I mean, this was nearly a must-win game. And to go out there and shoot as efficiently as he did, and grab 10 rebounds and they were attacking him on defense -- I mean, his conditioning is second to none in this league.”
While Thompson knew how crucial this win was for the Warriors, he admits Curry shouldn’t have to do it alone. Thompson was 7-17, scoring 18 pts. Jordan Poole scored 14 pts, and Draymond Green scoring a whopping 2 pts.
“Steph played incredible ... Come Game 5, we're going to have to help him out. Asking him to score 43 nightly is ridiculous.” - Klay Thompson
Photo: NBC Sports
Green scoring two points is absurd, especially from a starter. Nonetheless he had eight assists, but is that enough? The big man is currently known for accumulating the most technical fouls than his scoring capabilities — that’s a problem.
“He wasn’t letting us lose. That’s all it boils down to,” said, Draymond Green. “I could tell in his demeanor, last couple of days, even after Game 3, that he was going to come out with that kind of fire.”
Let’s hope Curry is not the only one bringing the fire in Game 5. Tonight we’re back in the Bay Area, where we should expect more out of Curry’s teammates, if not this is the perfect opportunity for Boston to take the series lead in Game 5.
