The NBA Finals could end Thursday if the Golden State Warriors can get another win at the TD Garden in Boston against the Celtics.
Golden State has struggled to close out series on the road this postseason. According to ESPN Stats & Information, the Warriors are 0-3 this season when they have a chance to end a series away from the Chase Center. The Celtics have the opposite experience, with a 3-0 record in elimination games this postseason.
History favors teams leading 3-2 heading into Game 6, however. Those squads have won the series 81% of the time (39 of 48 times). The last team to blow a 3-2 lead was the Warriors against the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016. If the Warriors win, it would be their fourth championship in an eight-season span, the first time that has happened since the Chicago Bulls (1991 to ’98).
The fans at TD Garden brought the energy for Games 3 and 4, so expect things to be even more raucous for a win-or-go-home Game 6.
Here are some of the best scenes from Game 6 of the NBA Finals.
All about 18
Nothing says we came to force a Game 7 like a custom ice sculpture. Right? Right.
The Celtics went full send on their TD Garden decor ahead of Thursday night’s action with this sculpture which depicts the Boston mascot, logo and the message “It’s all about 18.”
Know your audience
About 75 minutes before Game 6, fans gave a big ovation when Al Horford made his way onto the court for Celtics warmup. About a minute later, fans booed loudly as Steph Curry made his way onto the court for his warmup.
One Boston fan in a white Paul Pierce jersey has also been shouting at Andre Iguodala during his warmup. — Youngmisuk
Poole Party
Jordan Poole was feeling it from deep during pregame warmups, sinking 17 straight 3-pointers.
Jordan Poole casually draining 17 THREES in a row 😳 pic.twitter.com/C6sppYHi2K
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) June 16, 2022
Dancing to the music
The Warriors continued their road tradition of playing music during their shootaround or pregame from artists that originate from the city they’re playing in. So for the second time in these playoffs, Golden State’s shootaround playlist included Boston’s own New Edition and group members who famously went solo.
So when the media was allowed into shootaround on Thursday morning, Steph Curry was shooting to the smooth vocals of Johnny Gill and his classic slow jam “My, My, My.” They did not, however, go with Gill’s 18-minute live version of “My, My, My” which is incredible (look it up!)
STEPH MY, MY, MY Finals edition pic.twitter.com/2iyjWWO3x6
— Ohm Youngmisuk (@NotoriousOHM) June 16, 2022
Warning to the Celtics: during the previous Warriors shootaround here in Boston for Game 4, Curry shot to New Edition’s “Can You Stand the Rain.” And of course, he went on to explode for 43 points and 10 rebounds later that night.
After Steph shot to “My, My, My,” the speakers blared New Edition’s most famous member, Bobby Brown, and his hit “My Prerogative.” Fittingly, Draymond Green — Public Enemy No. 1 here in Boston — started grooving to it, especially when the lyrics, “They say I’m crazy… I really don’t care” came on. — Ohm Youngmisuk
Draymond grooving to Bobby Brown’s “My Prerogative” pic.twitter.com/bWZmv2Uhix
— Ohm Youngmisuk (@NotoriousOHM) June 16, 2022
Game 6 Klay?
Klay Thompson has made a name for himself in playoff Game 6s throughout his career. Teammate Jordan Poole showed support for another outstanding performance (hopefully) by rocking a 2011 NBA Draft shirt featuring Thompson.
Gotta rep the fam.
Jordan Poole 🤝 Klay Thompson pic.twitter.com/ZkGdNWOQVA
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) June 16, 2022
Eyes on a prize
Stephen Curry knows a good championship prize when he sees one, as he inspected the U.S. Open trophy during Wednesday’s practice ahead of Game 6.