The NBA Finals could end Thursday if the Golden State Warriors can get another win at 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 Chase Center in San Francisco. 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 1998).
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.
Bleed green (and white)
Will it be a green out? Fans in the lower section of TD Garden found shirts at their seats, including select seats with white shirts that spelled out “BOS” across one side of the lower bowl. — Alisha Miller
Tatum takes the court
With Game 6 in Boston and the Celtics having not lost three straight games since late December, folks are revved up to see a battle on the court tonight. As Celtics star Jayson Tatum enters the court for pregame warm-ups, fans crowd the lower seats and chant, “JT! JT! JT!” — Alisha Miller
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’ warm-ups. About a minute later, fans booed loudly as Steph Curry made his way onto the court for his warm-up.
One Boston fan in a white Paul Pierce jersey has also been shouting at Andre Iguodala during his warm-up. — Ohm Youngmisuk
Poole Party
Jordan Poole was feeling it from deep during pregame warm-ups, 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 routine 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, 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 in Boston — started grooving to it, especially when the lyrics, “They say I’m crazy … I really don’t care” came on. — 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 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
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.