Warriors vs. Celtics picks predictions s

The Warriors will have a chance to close out the 2022 NBA Finals in Boston on Thursday after taking a 3-2 lead with a Game 5 win. It's been a topsy-turvy series, separated by only 11 points through five games.Will the Warriorsraise the Larry O'Brien Trophy? Or will the Celtics send the series back to San Francisco?Here's everything you need to know going into the pivotal Game 6.MORE: Jayson Tatum vs. Andrew WigginsTatum has had an OK Finals run so Shy Tuttle Jersey far. He's averaging 23.2 points, 7.6 rebounds and 7.0 a sists in 40.8 minutes per game. But his shots have been extremely tough, particularly inside the arc, where he's hitting only 30.6 percent of his attempts.Wiggins has done a terrific job on Tatum. He doesn't deserve all of the credit, though, as the Warriors have switched a lot defensively and also put Gary Payton II on Tatum for stretches. They've also brought help from all over the floor to crowd Tatum's drives, which has led to his 18 turnovers in the series.If the Celtics are going to extend the series, then Tatum has to get more switches onto weaker defenders and attack quickly. He must penetrate before the Warriors have an opportunity to load up in the paint.The Celtics had great succe s in the middle of Game 5 by following that plan. They brought Stephen Curry into screening actions and forced him to switch onto Tatum multiple times, jump-starting their offense. They need to continue to put pre sure on Curry and Jordan Poole rather than hoping Tatum can get by Wiggins and score over the help defenders. Celtics turnoversFor all of the attention that the Warriors' offense has Zach Wood Jersey gotten, they've been held to the same average-ish level of production in every game this series. The Celtics' defense has been consistent.What has determined the winner in each game is the Celtics' offense or lack thereof.Much of that offense is predicated on taking care of the ball. In each of their two wins, the Celtics limited themselves to 12 turnovers. In their three lo ses, they've turned it over 18, 15 and 18 times. Warriors: Klay ThompsonHe's had games in which he's looked like the old Klay, such as his 21-point performance in Game 5 and 25 Aldrick Rosas Jersey -point showing in Game 3. He's also had some stinkers, shooting 30.3 percent in the first two games.Which Thompson will the Warriors get? When he's reined in his shot selection, he has been a huge boon for the team. When he's forced up tough midrangers or tried to bully defenders in the post, it's generally ended badly.The Warriors don't need Thompson to try and take over. They do need him to get up open 3-pointers and keep playing solid defense.Celtics: Robert WilliamsHehasn't been able to play a ton of minutes because of that wonky knee, averaging just 25.2 minutes in the series. When Williams has been on the floor, he's been invaluable Sam Mills Jersey . The Celtics are plus-31 when he's on the court in this series.Williams' 2.4 blocks per game don't tell nearly the whole story of how impactful he is on defense. He has prevented the Warriors from even attempting layups when he's been lurking around the basket. The distance that he has covered on some of his blocks has been astounding.If Williams' knee is feeling good and he can play over 30 minutes, then the Celtics will be tough to beat. Date:Thursday, June 16Time:9 p.m. ET | 6 p.m. PTGame 6 of the NBA Finals will tip off around 9 p.m. ET on Thursday, June 16. The game will be played at the TD Garden in Boston.DateGameTime (ET) / ResultsJune 2Game 1Celtics 120, Warriors 108June 5Game 2Warriors 107, Celtics 88June 8Game 3Celtics 116, Warriors 100June 10Game 4Warriors 107, Celtics 97June 13Game 5Warriors 104, Celtics 94June 16Game 69p.m.June 19Game 7*8p.m. I originally . I'm not feeling nearly as confident in that prediction, but I do think that this series still goes seven.The Celtics have benefited from a great home crowd. They won Game 3 in Boston, New Orleans Saints Hats then let Game 4 slip through their fingers in the last six minutes of the fourth quarter.These Celtics have truly been a Jekyll-and-Hyde team. At their best, they have made the Warriors look totally overmatched. They're the more athletic team and have better depth.But far too often, the Celtics have shot themselves in the foot. They've been sloppy with the ball, forced shots up late in the clock, driven into a sea of help defenders or chucked up bad midrange attempts. (I'm looking at you, Tatum.)Those mistakes haven't been quite as common at home. The Warriors have been consistent, honed by years of Finals experience. On the other hand, you never know which version of the Celtics you're going to get.I'm reluctantly picking the Celtics in Game 6.