The 2022 NBA Finals are set.
The Golden State Warriors and Boston Celtics will face off for the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy. It is the first time the teams have faced in the NBA Finals since 1964.
Channel 2 will be your home for EVERY GAME of the 2022 NBA Finals. Here is the complete schedule of games.
- Game 1: Thursday, June 2: Boston vs. Golden State, 9 ET, ABC
- Game 2: Sunday, June 5: Boston vs. Golden State, 8 ET, ABC
- Game 3: Wednesday, June 8: Golden State vs. Boston, 9 ET, ABC
- Game 4: Friday, June 10: Golden State vs. Boston, 9 ET, ABC
- Game 5: Monday, June 13: Boston vs. Golden State, 9 ET, ABC (If necessary)
- Game 6: Thursday, June 16: Golden State vs. Boston, 9 ET, ABC (If necessary)
- Game 7: Sunday, June 19: Boston vs. Golden State, 8 ET, ABC (If necessary)
SERIES PREVIEW
Golden State is seeking a fourth championship in eight years, while the Celtics are trying to break a tie with the Los Angeles Lakers and become the first team with 18 NBA titles. Celtics coach Ime Udoka will seek to become the 10th coach in NBA history to win a title in his first season, something that Golden State’s Steve Kerr did with the Warriors in 2015.
The starters matchup
Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, Andrew Wiggins and Kevon Looney for the Warriors against Marcus Smart, Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Al Horford and Robert Williams III for the Celtics.
Put simply, it’s the great offense of Golden State against the great defense of Boston. The experience edge goes to the Warriors. But Smart, Brown and Tatum have been building for this moment and are now, officially, a Big 3. Smart — the defensive player of the year — will draw the primary assignment on Curry, the most prolific and probably most creative 3-point shooter in the history of the game.
The bench keys
Derrick White had a huge Eastern Conference finals for Boston, and Jordan Poole has exceeded all reasonable expectations for Golden State throughout the playoffs. If the Warriors get Gary Payton II back to form in this series after his elbow fracture, that’s a huge plus. Grant Williams would be another X-factor off the bench for Boston and will likely log huge minutes anyway because it wouldn’t seem likely that Robert Williams III — dogged by knee recovery — will be on the floor a ton.
Injury watch
Williams III has been on the floor for Boston, but limited and limping often. Otto Porter Jr. (left foot) is planning to return in this series for the Warriors. Payton II’s return would give the Warriors a boost, particularly on the defensive end. The Warriors’ Andre Iguodala, who has said he’s retiring after this season, has missed the last 12 games with a cervical disc issue.
Game preview provided by the Associated Press.
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