Boston Celtics: 2 unsung studs from astonishing Game 1 win over Warriors

Boston Celtics stud No. 1) Derrick White

Derrick White provided an impact almost immediately upon checking into the game at around the halfway point of the first period.

Converting on an impressive driving floater and then setting up Al Horford for an easy foul line jumper within just his first few possessions, right from the jump it was clear that the bright lights of the NBA Finals were not too much for the 28-year-old to handle.

Since being scrutinized early on during this year’s postseason run and, subsequently, garnering more pressure to produce as their run continued, the point guard has gone on to turn a corner, so to speak, and this type of play has continued on into these early stages of the final round.

A picture-perfect example of what a spark-plug sixth man should produce like, White was all over the place in Game 1–be it by skying high over bigs to tap out rebound opportunities or getting back quickly on defense to check Stephen Curry to slow down potential fast breaks, his presence was felt all over this game.

Logging just over 31 minutes on the night, D. White finished with 21 points, three assists, and a rebound on a highly efficient 54 percent shooting from the floor and a whopping 62 percent shooting from deep.

With his efforts, not only was he able to give starting one, Marcus Smart, some much-needed rest (especially in the fourth where he saw 11:12 of action to Smart’s 2:59) as he still looks to heal from nagging lower-body injuries, but he was also able to nab the game’s highest plus-minus rating in the process at +25.

If he can continue to produce at this high of a rate on both ends of the floor throughout the duration of this series, Boston’s odds of winning banner No. 18 only manage to increase exponentially.