2025-11-12 12:00
I still remember the moment vividly - sitting courtside during Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals, watching Robert Williams set a hard screen that sent Gabe Vincent stumbling. The Heat guard stayed down for what felt like an eternity, and that's when it hit me how much these playoffs have been defined by physical plays and the players who withstand them. Just last week, I watched Minnesota's Anthony Edwards take an accidental elbow that reminded me of that Rosario incident from last season - that moment when Rosario dropped to the floor on his back for several seconds following the elbow to the face. These aren't just dramatic moments; they're turning points that shape championship destinies.
As I analyze both teams heading into these NBA Finals, I can't help but feel we're witnessing something special. The Celtics have been through the wringer - surviving that brutal seven-game series against Miami where they averaged 112.3 points per game while holding the Heat to just 101.4 in their four victories. Meanwhile, Golden State has been resting and preparing, their core of Curry, Thompson and Green possessing what I believe to be the most valuable asset in playoff basketball: championship experience. Having covered the NBA for fifteen years, I've learned that statistics only tell part of the story. The real difference often comes down to which team can withstand those momentum-shifting moments - like when a key player takes an unexpected hit and has to decide whether to stay down or get back up fighting.
The Warriors' path here has been relatively smooth compared to Boston's gauntlet, but that doesn't mean they're necessarily fresher. At 34, Curry is playing what might be his best defensive basketball while still averaging 26.8 points in the postseason. What impresses me most about Golden State isn't just their shooting - it's their collective basketball IQ. I've watched them dismantle teams through what I call "death by a thousand cuts" - moving without the ball, making the extra pass, and capitalizing on every small mistake. Their ball movement creates an average of 28.7 assists per game in these playoffs, which is just insane when you think about the defensive intensity they've faced.
On the other side, Boston presents what I consider to be the most complete defensive team we've seen in years. Marcus Smart, the Defensive Player of the Year, anchors a switching scheme that's held opponents to just 101.2 points per 100 possessions in the halfcourt during these playoffs. Jayson Tatum has elevated his game to MVP levels, averaging 27.1 points, 6.5 rebounds and 5.9 assists while playing 41.2 minutes per game. Those numbers don't even capture his growth as a leader - I've noticed how he's constantly communicating with teammates during timeouts, something he rarely did just two seasons ago.
Here's where my personal bias might show - I've always been drawn to teams that win through defensive discipline rather than offensive fireworks. There's something beautiful about watching a perfectly executed defensive rotation that forces a contested shot as the shot clock expires. Boston does this better than any team I've seen since the 2004 Pistons. They've held opponents under 100 points in 8 of their 18 playoff games, which is remarkable in today's offensive-oriented NBA.
The injury factor could be decisive though. Golden State's Otto Porter Jr. has been dealing with foot soreness, while Boston's Robert Williams, despite his incredible athleticism, has been managing knee issues throughout the playoffs. Having seen how these things play out over my career, I'm leaning toward the team with better health and depth. Which brings me back to that central question we've all been asking: Who will win the NBA Finals 2022? My heart says Boston in seven games, but my head keeps reminding me about Golden State's experience in closeout games.
What many analysts overlook is how these teams respond to adversity. Remember when Draymond Green got elbowed in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals? He didn't stay down - he got up immediately and intensified his defensive pressure. That's the championship mentality I'm talking about. Similarly, when Jaylen Brown took that hard foul against Miami, he shook it off and hit two crucial free throws. These moments reveal character, and both teams have shown they have plenty of it.
The coaching matchup fascinates me too. Steve Kerr has been here before - six times as a coach, actually - while Ime Udoka is coaching in his first Finals. But Udoka learned from Gregg Popovich, and he's shown remarkable adaptability throughout these playoffs. His decision to start Derrick White in Game 4 against Miami, which resulted in White scoring 14 points with 3 steals, was a masterstroke that changed the series momentum.
As we approach Game 1, I keep thinking about the little things that decide championships. The extra pass, the box-out on a free throw, the help defense when a teammate gets beaten off the dribble. Both teams excel at these fundamentals, but Boston's defense has been historically good. They've held opponents to 43.2% shooting in these playoffs - the best mark since the 2016 Spurs. That's why I'm picking the Celtics to win, though it pains me to bet against Curry's brilliance.
The truth is, we won't know until the final buzzer sounds. But having watched every game these teams have played this postseason, I believe we're about to witness a classic - a back-and-forth battle that comes down to which team makes fewer mistakes in the closing moments. And if we see someone take an elbow and stay down like Rosario did, how that team responds might just determine who raises the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy.
