Warriors vs. Celtics: A look at their record and the matchup that matters

The Golden State Warriors and the Boston Celtics are technically one series away from being crowned NBA 2021-22 champions. However, obviously, both cannot come out on top.

While the Dubs — now with their powerful trio of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green all linking up, last won a title in 2018, while the new-and-improved Celtics last lifted silverware in 2008.  Both sides met in the NBA Finals in 1964.

The Golden State Warriors and Boston Celtics will kick off a seven-game series, and there’s one key, series-defining matchup to keep an eye on.
The Cs have generally enjoyed a superior run against the Warriors in the regular season having won 208 wins in the 346 skirmishes they have had.

The last time these two sides squared off, Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum notched up 26 points each to register a 110-88 win. They had a five-game win streak heading into this season before ending with a 1-1 record against Golden State.

This series is a classic contest between the Celtics’ defense against a relentless offensive assault that Steve Kerr’s players will undoubtedly bring on.

The fact that they knocked out the Brooklyn Nets, defending champs Milwaukee Bucks, and a Jimmy Butler-led Miami Heat shows how they managed to overpower sides that often score freely and quickly.

The size will be one of the deciding factors for the Warriors heading into this matchup. It shouldn’t come as a surprise if the Celtics might go big challenging the likes of Curry, Jordan Poole, and even Andrew Wiggins to take their shots.

Add the fact that their five starters are all defensively potent, and this is one such final that may see a Game 7.

Warriors vs Celtics matchup to watch out for: Andrew Wiggins vs Jayson Tatum
Unsurprisingly, this is one series where Wiggins will play a key role in ensuring that Tatum doesn’t find those points easily.

It’s been labeled as the player battle to watch out for. His work against Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks will all but guarantee that he gets the tough assignment of guarding Tatum who has shown his willingness to pass the ball.

Wiggins has embraced the role of a small-ball power forward to perfection and the 42 offensive rebounds are ample proof that he is effective at both ends. He will also be wary of Tatum’s ability to pull up midrange — something that Doncic did in the Western Conference Finals.

Conversely, Tatum’s long levers mean scoring, no matter how sneaky Wiggins is, can be tough.

While he’s not been the Warriors’ primary scorer, his 35.3% from deep shows he’s gone about contributing to the points even as Curry, Thompson, and Poole have been putting up some numbers.

He’s already outlined the fact that he loves defense and is ready for the bigger challenge.

Per Sports Illustrated’s C.J. Peterson, Wiggins knew he was all dialed in against Doncic: “I’m locked in, I’m motivated. When you see your work helping us play better, it just makes you want to do it more. It’s adrenaline, you just feel good,” Wiggins said.

Now, he must bring that same energy to the league’s brightest stage.