The NBA Finals matchup is ready, with Stephen Curry and the Warriors facing off against Jayson Tatum and the Celtics. Who will be crowned champion? Crossover staff make their choices.
Howard Beck: Warriors in 7
That should be fun … and you have, and you have and very, very close. The Warriors, making their sixth appearance in the Finals in eight years, are still a scoring machine with Steph and Klay Thompson, now aided by young guns like Jordan Poole and Andrew Wiggins. The Celtics will be, by far, the best defense Golden State has faced this postseason. And no matter how strong the Warriors D are, they will have their hands full with Tatum and Jaylen Brown. The series could be reduced to intangibles such as the experience of the finals and the advantage of the local track, which favor the Warriors.
Chris Herring: Warriors in 7
Boston matches Golden State very well, enough because it’s hard not to pick the Celtics here. Undoubtedly, the defense is good enough to provoke the attack of the Dubs and make him turn the ball upside down sometimes. And I think Boston will be able to target Jordan Poole’s defense. However, I think Golden State benefits from his experience on that stage and does enough to win, leading Steph to the first MVP of the NBA Finals.
Rohan Nadkarni: Warriors in 7
The Boston defense will give trouble to the Warriors. At the same time, Golden State has been amazing with Steph and Dray in lineup this season, and I think the Dubs have a deeper team as well. The Warriors can hold on defensively and will present Boston with the most sophisticated offensive offense the Celtics have seen all postseason. It adds to the experience and I like the possibilities of Golden State.
Chris Mannix: Celtics in 6
Boston is run down and experience matters right now (hello, Oklahoma City). But the Celtics defense could be the best the NBA has seen in decades, and the mental toughness this team has shown in the conference playoffs offers optimism that Boston will not be overwhelmed in the finals. I think the Celtics are forcing a lot of Golden State possession losses (who isn’t?), Finding ways to attack Curry and Thompson and win at home.
Graphic by Bryce Wood / Sports Illustrated
Michael Pina: Celtics in 6
The Warriors have not faced a defense as formidable as Boston in those playoffs. It is a group that changes shape and has no clear point of vulnerability. Everyone is one more defender. Everyone is versatile. There are no obvious weaknesses. However, Golden State has the No. 1 offense this postseason for a reason. With Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green on the court, they flow through the action at a speed that makes most opponents dizzy. But in many ways, the Celtics were built to slow them down. And if the Warriors want to prevail, they will probably have to hit harder than they are used to, while waiting for Boston to cool to the other end.
John Gonzalez: Warriors in 7
The Celtics have gone through an absurd collection of talent to get to this point, beating the Nets (everyone’s wrong post-season selection), the Bucks (last year’s champions) and the Heat (the No. 1 seed). to the west). As much as it hurts me, Ime Udoka’s crew is playing as well as anyone else could. But I’m a fan of continuity. As our SI teammate Howard Beck just described, Steph Curry and the Warriors have been together for a long time and have been in the finals in six of the eight seasons. There’s a lot to be said about the experience and understanding what to expect on the bigger stage.
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Ashley Nicole Moss: Warriors in 6
Curry, Thompson, Draymond Green, Kevon Looney, Wiggins, and this is just the (possible) starting lineup! THIS TEAM IS DEEP. Not to mention the intangibles, the biggest thing is the DNA of the championship. You have a core of veterinarians who have been to the Promised Land several times together; this experience and energy is contagious to those who have not. As for the Celtics, a more than talented team, but it wouldn’t be the first time we’ve seen an inexperienced team fold under the bright lights of the NBA Finals. Also, I don’t think the Celtics have an answer for someone who moves without a ball like Steph Curry does. However, I will say, the Warriors have a habit of waiting until the third quarter to turn the switch, and if the Boston “Jays” turn on, there will be no comeback. That’s why I think Boston gets two wins in this series, both at home.
Robin Lundberg: Celtics in 6
I already regret this as I write this, but I will go with the Celtics. I have no doubt about Steph Curry and the Golden State pedigree, but the Warriors have not faced a team like Boston. The ability of the Celtics to defend and distribute the ground with size gives them an advantage in this confrontation, which I think they will win if they can limit self-inflicted mistakes.
Jeremy Woo: Warriors in 7
I’m not sure Golden State is the best team here. I feel like warriors will find a way. Boston’s defense will make his life difficult. But if we are splitting the hair, the experience and urgency that Golden State brings in what should be a long series gives them my encouragement.
Ben Pickman: Warriors in 7
The 2022 Finals include the two best teams of the regular season in terms of defensive qualification and have been set to be a grueling series for both franchises. The margins between the two are narrow, but I give the Warriors a bit of an advantage both for the advantage of the local court and for how Boston has performed in end-of-game situations in these playoffs. According to stats.NBA.com, Boston has a net rating of -1.5 in clutch situations this postseason and has seen its offense fall back to just 94.7 points per 100 possessions. The Golden State offensive, meanwhile, has flourished in these situations. Expect games to go down to the cable, and the series to go far, with the Warriors ’proven ability to run in difficult times as a potential differentiating factor.
Michael Shapiro: Celtics in 6
Golden State has yet to see anything like this Boston defense in the 2022 playoffs, and the Celtics should not suffer the same billing issues that plagued them in the Eastern Conference Finals. This should be a long series. A seven-game classic is very much at stake. But after surviving a slug party against Miami, it seems like Boston’s time on top of the mountain.
Elizabeth Swinton: Warriors in 7
The Celtics have defeated the top stars on their way to the NBA Finals, but the Warriors’ defense and depth will be a challenge. Golden State has yet to face a defense as strong as Boston’s this postseason, but it will have time to figure out how to overcome Celtics pressure. Jayson Tatum will lead the way for Boston, but the Warriors have the experience and advantage of the local court on their side to take the title in a tight series.
Kyle Wood: Celtics in 7
Boston has played Golden State as the best of any team in recent years. This matters, and so does the added rest of the Finals schedule that disproportionately benefits the Celtics, as well as their elite three-point defense, a phenomenal postseason record and an inside advantage in attack and defense. . A healthy Boston team can give the Warriors adjustments over a series of seven games.
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