Warriors look to oust Celtics
Golden State, up 3-2, plans to lean on experience
Stephen Curry and the Warriors have been within a game of clinching a championship in three of Golden State’s previous five trips to the NBA Finals during his 13-year NBA career.
Back again and with a 3-2 series advantage against the Celtics, Curry says he’ll lean on that experience when he takes the court at Boston’s TD Garden on Thursday night.
“You just understand what the nerves are
like,” Curry said. “At the end of the day, once you get out there, you just have to be in the moment. You got to be present as much as possible, not worry about the consequences of a win or a loss. The only opportunity you have is that 48 minutes.”
The Warriors’ core of Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green is still around from the 2015 championship run.
They’re on the verge of capturing their fourth title in eight seasons with new additions to the floor — like Andrew Wiggins and Jordan Poole — who have never been in this position.
The stakes will be equally high for the Celtics, who let the turnover demons that have haunted them at times throughout the postseason prevent them from seizing a commanding 3-1 series lead.
Boston limited Curry to his lowest scoring output of the Finals in Game 5, but couldn’t overcome 18 turnovers.
But the Celtics have a chance to force Game 7 — and the chance is coming at the Garden, where they are 6-5 in the playoffs.
Boston’s path to the Finals has included Game 7 victories over Milwaukee in the second round and Miami in the conference final.
The Celtics entered the Finals as only the 12th team in league history to win back-toback Game 7s in the preceding rounds.