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Stephen Curry and the Warriors came close to winning a championship in three of Golden State’s last five trips to the NBA Finals during his 13-year NBA career.
Back again and with a 3-2 lead over the Celtics, Curry says he’ll draw on that experience when he takes the court at Boston’s TD Garden on Thursday night.
“You just get the nerves,” Curry said. “At the end of the day, when you’re out there, you just have to be in the moment. You need to be present as often as possible and not worry about the consequences of winning or losing. The only opportunity you have is these 48 minutes.”
The core of the Warriors of Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green are still there from the 2015 championship run. They are on the verge of winning their fourth title in eight seasons, with newcomers to the floor – like Andrew Wiggins and Jordan Poole – who have never been in that position.
Curry’s advice to her: lie to yourself a little.
“The more you can get your mind to be in the moment and stay there, that’s the best advice I can give anyone in this situation,” he said. “Because because of the high stakes, it’s probably going to be the toughest game you’ve ever played in your career.”
The stakes will be just as high for the Celtics, who let the turnover demons that haunted them at times during the postseason prevent them from establishing a comfortable 3-1 lead in the series.
Boston limited Curry to his lowest Finals score in Game 5 but failed to overcome 18 turnovers. The Celtics fell to 1-7 with 16 turnovers or more this postseason — and lost straight games for the first time since late March.
But they have a chance to force Game 7 — and the chance comes at the Garden, where they’re 6-5 in the playoffs.
The mood at the end of Wednesday’s practice session was relaxed, with players smiling and joking while throwing a few shots. Celtics star Jayson Tatum said the optimism comes from the team’s recent playoff history.
Boston’s route to the Finals included victories in Game 7 against Milwaukee in the second round and Miami in the Conference Finals. The Celtics reached the Finals as only the 12th team in league history to win back-to-back Game 7s in the previous rounds.
“In those moments we just reacted. I don’t know exactly what it is, but I think it’s just our will to want to win, we’re just trying to figure it out,” Tatum said. “I think my thought process, like that game, Game 7 vs the Heat, was just do whatever it takes to win.”
That and reminding himself and his teammates that there’s still basketball to play.
“It’s the first before four. It’s not over yet,” Tatum said. “As long as it’s not over, you have a chance.”