The Celtics are in their first NBA Finals since 2010, and they’ll face a squad with plenty of experience in the Warriors. Golden State knows all about what it’s like in the Finals, while no current Celtic has been this far in the postseason. But the C’s still have a great chance to bring a title home for the first time since 2008.
MassLive’s Souichi Terada, Brian Robb, Matt Vautour and Jim Pignatiello each gave their prediction on the Finals, along with a few more questions. The Celtics tip off against the Warriors for Game 1 at 9 p.m. Thursday at Chase Center.
Related: Shop around for Celtics-Warriors NBA Finals tickets at StubHub, VividSeats & TicketNetwork
Here’s a look at the predictions:
Series prediction
Terada: Warriors in 6
Robb: Celtics in 6
Pignatiello: Celtics in 6
Vautour: Warriors in 7
Finals MVP pick
Terada: Stephen Curry.
Robb: Jayson Tatum. The Warriors don’t have a good defensive matchup for him in this series.
Pignatiello: Jayson Tatum
Vautour: Jaylen Brown
X-factor of the series
Terada: Marcus Smart. The Celtics need a healthy Smart on both sides of the ball as he’s been banged up throughout the playoffs. But his impact defensively will be the most important factor. The Celtics need to slow down Curry and Smart will likely be matched up against him. Smart’s playmaking and leadership are also key elements for the C’s.
Robb: Derrick White. The trade deadline addition is the perfect defensive guard to help try to contain the Warriors’ shooting weapons. If he can knock down jumpers with regularity, it will help Boston match up small.
Pignatiello: Marcus Smart and the Celtics defense doesn’t completely shut down Steph Curry but keeps him in check for most of the series
Vautour: Andrew Wiggins completes his career revival and adds enough to push Warriors over the top.
Biggest surprise
Terada: Derrick White. He continues his hot shooting and play from late in the East Finals, making some Celtics fans think about what it’s like to be a father. The Warriors will look to stop Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown again offensively, which allows White to get some open looks at 3s again.
Robb: Ime Udoka makes a starting lineup change during the series with a hobbled Rob Williams struggling to keep on the perimeter with the Warriors’ guards.
Pignatiello: Klay Thompson leads the Warriors in scoring
Vautour: Payton Pritchard scores 20+ in Game 3.
Who averages more points: Jayson Tatum or Stephen Curry?
Terada: Jayson Tatum. Curry hasn’t exploded for a scoring outburst yet this postseason because teams obviously prioritize him and the Warriors have others who can score. The Warriors will try to stop Tatum, but he’ll need to step up once again if the Celtics want a shot at the title.
Robb: Tatum.
Pignatiello: Tatum dominates the series, capping his All-NBA season with a big exclamation point
Vautour: Tatum
Story by Souichi Terada, Brian Robb, masslive.com