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The Golden State Warriors are in the NBA Finals for the sixth time in eight seasons.
The Boston Celtics have joined them after outlasting Miami in the Eastern Conference finals and atoning for eliminations at the same hurdle in 2017, 2018 and 2020.
I am picking Golden State to win this championship series in six games.
(I’m the same guy, mind you, who picked Miami and Dallas to win their conference finals matchups … so I’m not exactly on a hot streak entering this fourth and final installment of community playoff predictions.)
Two respondents to our last call for predictions — CarterB and Oakland43 — correctly nailed both Golden State over Dallas in 5 and Boston over Miami in 7. (Thanks once again to my pal @DeePee30 for handling tabulation duties.)
Let’s see how many of us can hit on their Finals pick precisely. Please make sure to include your last name when you weigh in below and clearly state Team X over Team Y in 4/5/6/7 so we can easily spot and celebrate the supremely prescient among us.
Was trying to wait and see what the injury status for GSW (Iguodala, Porter, GP2) would look like close to tip because they'd be key in this series. Timelord and Smart injuries are interesting as well. Celtics is a great matchup but various times in the last two rounds have scared me off the Celtics enough to flip my prediction versus the Warriors.
Unoriginal I know. Celtics have shown tremendous savvy in surviving three tough matchups. But the absences of Middleton and Herro were crucial. GS is much closer to full strength. Both teams have a lot of heart and talent. A good matchup!
Boston in 7 in overtime! Two overtimes in series, each team wins at least one on the road, only one game decided by 15 points or more. Possibly one heart attack. Don't let Perk eat pork during games.
Wasn't expecting this to go up so soon. I'm in the midst of going back and forth on my (irrelevant) prediction. Think I return to the discussion on Wednesday or Thursday for final pick.
Warriors in 4 over Boston. GS is on a mission. With a tired/hurting BOS and a refreshed/determined GS, game one will be a blowout by 30 or more and Boston will never recover. As a CLE fan I've seen this look on the Warriors faces before, and there is not LeBron on the floor for BOS, apologies to Tatum whose a stud, but he no LBJ. D. Redwine.
Key is for Dray and Wiggins to stay out of foul trouble so they can guard Tatum and Brown. Of course we know Dray loves foul trouble.
And I expect Celtics will attempt to do what they did to KD to Steph - really aggressive and physical guarding. I predict Celtics will try to intimidate Looney in the paint w/ Robert and Grant Williams, Horford (and maybe Theis).
Locking the file now. Thanks much everyone for the picks ... now to find out who got it right!
Celtics in 5 WWLWW
GSW in 4. too much Moses Moody
Warriors in 5
Warriors in 5!
Warriors in 6
Jimmy Russell Warriors in 7
Charlie Rainsford - Celtics in 7
Warriors in 5 for me.
Celtics in 6. We can beat them with size
Was trying to wait and see what the injury status for GSW (Iguodala, Porter, GP2) would look like close to tip because they'd be key in this series. Timelord and Smart injuries are interesting as well. Celtics is a great matchup but various times in the last two rounds have scared me off the Celtics enough to flip my prediction versus the Warriors.
Warriors in 7; Finals MVP: Stephen Curry
Warriors in 7
this is really tough personally
Warriors in 6. I want bragging rights over my cousin in Boston for an early Birthday present!
Warriors in 5
Warriors in 6; Steph as MVP
Game 1: Warriors
Game 2: Celtics
Game 3: Celtics
Game 4: Warriors
Game 5: Warriors
Game 6: Warriors
Celtics in 6
Mike Gallups... Celtics in7
Warriors in 6.
Unoriginal I know. Celtics have shown tremendous savvy in surviving three tough matchups. But the absences of Middleton and Herro were crucial. GS is much closer to full strength. Both teams have a lot of heart and talent. A good matchup!
Warriors in 7!
Boston has not lost consecutive games for many months. I expect it to continue. Celtics win it in 6 games
Celtics in 5
Celtics in 4. Tatum MVP.
GSW in 6 - Chef Curry for finals MVP
Warriors in 5. Andrew Wiggins MVP.
Boston in 7 in overtime! Two overtimes in series, each team wins at least one on the road, only one game decided by 15 points or more. Possibly one heart attack. Don't let Perk eat pork during games.
Celtics in 7
Wasn't expecting this to go up so soon. I'm in the midst of going back and forth on my (irrelevant) prediction. Think I return to the discussion on Wednesday or Thursday for final pick.
Warriors in 4 over Boston. GS is on a mission. With a tired/hurting BOS and a refreshed/determined GS, game one will be a blowout by 30 or more and Boston will never recover. As a CLE fan I've seen this look on the Warriors faces before, and there is not LeBron on the floor for BOS, apologies to Tatum whose a stud, but he no LBJ. D. Redwine.
Warriors in 6
Warriors in 6.
Key is for Dray and Wiggins to stay out of foul trouble so they can guard Tatum and Brown. Of course we know Dray loves foul trouble.
And I expect Celtics will attempt to do what they did to KD to Steph - really aggressive and physical guarding. I predict Celtics will try to intimidate Looney in the paint w/ Robert and Grant Williams, Horford (and maybe Theis).
Warriors in 7.
It's gonna be a LONG series.
Warriors in 5. The extra rest, home court, and quicker path to the Finals give the Warriors an advantage.
Warriors in 6
Celtics in 5
Woot for getting the last round right! Carter Brooking: Warriors in 7
Warriors in 6.
Boston wins game 1. Dubs tied it up 1-1. Celtics get next 2 at home, Dubs win game 5. Boston get the title 4-2.
Dubs in 6.
Dubs in 6
Please share the file with friends. We need to rack up more than 100 prognostications in here!
Dubs in 4
Warriors in 6. Too much quality depth. Curry, Green, & Thompson more in sync as they get deeper in the post season.
Wags sez Cs in 6.
Boston in six. Defense!
Warriors in 5. Too many weapons
Celtics in 5
Warriors in 6
Celtics in 7
Celtics in 6. Have played Dubs well in last 4-5 years and have the defensive chops to beat them.
Warriors in 6
G1 — GSW
G2 — Boston
G3 — GSW
G4 — Boston
G5 — GSW
G6 — GSW