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Boston Celtics: 3 disadvantages C’s face in NBA Finals against Warriors

By Mark Nilon

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - DECEMBER 17: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors reacts during the second half against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on December 17, 2021 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - DECEMBER 17: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors reacts during the second half against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on December 17, 2021 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Getty Images) /
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Boston Celtics Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Boston Celtics Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

Disadvantage for Boston Celtics No. 2) Rest

The Boston Celtics have found themselves playing deep into their last two series against the Milwaukee Bucks and Miami Heat, respectively, seeing hard-fought Game 7’s in both rounds, making Ime Udoka the only head coach in their first year to win each of the closeout contests.

The Golden State Warriors’ path to this point in time hasn’t been nearly as extensive.

By the time Thursday night’s tip-off rolls around, it will have been a full week since the Dubs last took to the hardwood. For Boston, it will have only been four days.

Despite the fact that they ultimately pulled out the victory, throughout Sunday’s close-out contest against Miami, it was quite evident that the C’s were completely gassed after playing 14 extremely-competitive games in 27 days.

Golden State, on the other hand, wound up having five days off in between their Semifinals clinching Game 6 win over Memphis and their Game 1 of the Conference Finals against the Dallas Mavericks, where they went on to finish them off in five outings. To put this into perspective, the Celtics haven’t had so much as four days off since the start of round two.

While some would argue that rust could come about with the amount of time the Warriors have been kept on the sidelines, with how seasoned and established they are, having fresh legs could get them off to a great start right from the jump (remember, heading in they rank fifth in the postseason in pace of play), and this against the potentially sore and tired legs of Boston’s personnel could, in theory, go on to spell trouble for the visiting shamrocks.

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