Game 1 of the 2022 NBA Finals was a wild one that saw the Golden State Warriors build a big lead in the third quarter only for the Boston Celtics to storm back in the fourth quarter to steal the game and take a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series. Al Horford led the way for Boston in Game 1 as the veteran big man dropped 26 points and a career-high six 3-pointers while Jaylen Brown added 24 points, seven rebounds and five assists. Jayson Tatum didn't have his best game when it comes to shooting (he was just three of 17 from the floor), but he did a great job of setting up his teammates and he finished the game with 13 assists.
In Game 2, the Celtics will look to build off of the momentum they established over the final 12 minutes of the first game, while the Warriors will be looking to bounce back and tie the series up before it shifts to Boston for two straight games. With that said, here's everything you need to know about Game 2 between Boston and Golden State.
Boston Celtics at Golden State Warriors
- When: Sunday, June 5 | 8 p.m. ET
- Where: Chase Center -- San Francisco, California
- TV: ABC | Live stream: fuboTV (Get access now)
- Odds: BOS +155; GS -185; O/U 215 (via Caesars Sportsbook)
Storylines
Celtics: Jayson Tatum did a great job of moving the ball and generating open opportunities for his teammates in Game 1. However, he's going to have to do a bit more when it comes to personal point production in Game 2, as the Celtics can't rely on role players like Horford, Derrick White and Payton Pritchard to carry them on the offensive end again. Tatum had just 12 points in Game 1, and though his teammates were able to pick up the slack, that's not really a recipe for success for Boston. One way Tatum can get himself going is by getting to the foul line. He took seven free throws in the first game, and that number should get bumped up to double figures in the second game. Look for Tatum to come out aggressive early in Game 2 in order to set the tone for his team.
Warriors: Steph Curry did his thing in Game 1 for Golden State as he finished the game with 34 points, five rebounds and five assists. Moving forward, he's going to need more help from some of the team's other key contributors. Klay Thompson, Jordan Poole and Draymond Green combined for just 28 total points in the first game. That number is going to need to be up over 40, at least. Getting more than four points from Kevon Looney would be a bonus, too. Overall, a lot of players on Golden State are capable of playing better than they did in the first game, and they'll have to.
Prediction, picks
It seems unlikely that the Celtics will get the same type of performance that they got in the first game from role players like Derrick White, Al Horford and Payton Pritchard in Game 2. It also seems unlikely that the Warriors will drop both of the first two games of the series at home knowing how tough it will be to climb out of a 2-0 hole against a team as good as the Celtics. Look for Golden State to come out focused, just as they did in Game 1, but to maintain it over the course of the contest this time. If they can maintain focus for the full 48 minutes, the series should be headed to Boston tied 1-1. Pick: Warriors -4
