STEPHEN CURRY
DD - 43! pts, 10 boards & 7! triples
St. Curry (GSW): DD - 43!, 10 boards & 7 triples!
K. Thompson (GSW): 18 pts - 8 in 4th quarter
A. Wiggins (GSW): DD - 17 & 16 boards!
J. Poole (GSW): 14 pts (off bench)
K. Looney (GSW): 11! boards (off bench)
J. Tatum (BOS): DD - 23, 11 & 6 dimes
J. Brown (BOS): 21 & 6 boards
M. Smart (BOS): 18, 5 dimes, 4 steals & 4 boards!
D. White (BOS): 16 pts (off bench)
SERIES TIED 2-2
DOG BAG
STEPHEN CURRY: 1st player w/ at least 40 pts, 10 boards & 7 triples in a Finals game!
1st player to hit at least 5 or more triples in the first four games to start the Finals!
BARO NOTES:
• STEPH CURRY SIGNATURE GAME! (as if he actually needed one) • The narrative that Steph isn’t/never was a clutch performer is officially over. It should have never really been acknowledged or mentioned at all if we’re being honest - the entire offensive system is built around Steph, so naturally the entire defensive scheme for most squads this season has been to stop Steph, and he’s still been able to impose his will when it matters most.
Boston made slight adjustments to their coverage in between Games 3 & 4 (more traps on screens, tried to crowd his space a bit more) and it still didn’t matter: the Warriors great responded w/ a "never-before-seen” Finals stat line of 43 pts, 10 rebs & 7 triples - seemingly hitting shot after shot to propel the Dubs to a late advantage in the 4th. It’s a treat to watch him work (once again) on the biggest stage but don’t be fooled, it’s who he is.
• Requisite Support. • Andrew Wiggins (17 & 16!), Jordan Poole (14 pts), Kevon Looney (11 boards off bench) & Klay Thompson (18 points - 8 in the 4th) proved the difference* in the game.
*Steph’s nuclear output obviously kept them in striking range but the rest played key roles in securing the dub.
• Boston’s 2022 postseason has been defined by resiliency but it’s fair to say they’ve let a lot of winnable games slip away. Now, it didn’t end up hurting them in previous either Rounds 2 or 3 (beat MIL & MIA in 7 games), this one has an entirely different feel because it’s tough to say exactly who’s the better team through 4 games. Both can stake that claim (Boston’s size & physicality v. GS’s incredible star performances + timely support).
From here on out, it will come down to late-game execution and role players stepping up (or not).
• Boston’s waiting on another big game from Al Horford…while Golden State’s waiting on a signature performance from Draymond Green.