Golden State Warriors: 3 stats that will define the NBA Finals

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - MAY 26: Kevon Looney #5, Andrew Wiggins #22, Draymond Green #23 and head coach Steve Kerr of the Golden State Warriors react after substitutions during the fourth quarter against the Dallas Mavericks in Game Five of the 2022 NBA Playoffs Western Conference Finals at Chase Center on May 26, 2022 in San Francisco, California. The Golden State Warriors won 120-110 to advance to the NBA Finals. 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 Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

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Warriors-Celtics defining stat: Three-point field goals made

The Boston Celtics have the second-highest three-point attempt rate in the playoffs.

The only team with one higher is the Dallas Mavericks, and we saw how that turned out for them against Golden State. Boston attempts 37.1 threes per game, hitting just 36.2% of them. The Warriors actually make 13.5 on 35.6 per game which is 37.9%.

The winner from behind the line is likely going to be who comes out on top in the series as well. Both teams are heavily dependent on shooting from deep.

Given the Warriors’ size advantage against the small-ball Mavs, they seemed to change their style to one more dominant in the paint. I expect the Horford and Williams combo to force them outside more often than Dallas did.

The Celtics and Warriors respectively ranked No. 1 and No. 3 in opponents’ three-point field goal percentage during the regular season.

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Getting clean looks is not going to be easy for either side, and whoever wins the battle from deep and ensuing gets more second-chance opportunities through offensive rebounds should come out on top.

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