NBA Finals: How will Warriors’ friendlier confines impact Celtics in Game 5?
The Celtics are hoping their road success in these playoffs comes
through in Monday night's Game 5 visit to the Warriors in the NBA Finals
>SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 10: Fans cheer at the Golden State
Warriors watch party after the Warrior win game 4 of the NBA Finals
107-97 against the Boston Celtics at the Chase Center in San Francisco,
Calif., on Friday, June 10, 2022. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)
>SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 10: Fans cheer at the Golden State
Warriors watch party after the Warrior win game 4 of the NBA Finals
107-97 against the Boston Celtics at the Chase Center in San Francisco,
Calif., on Friday, June 10, 2022. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)
By CAM INMAN | cinman@bayareanewsgroup.com | Bay Area News Group
PUBLISHED: June 12, 2022 at 3:11 p.m. | UPDATED: June 12, 2022 at 3:19 p.m.
https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2022/06/12/nba-finals-how-will-warriors-friendlier-confines-impact-celtics-in-game-5/

SAN FRANCISCO — You stay classy, Chase Center crowd.

After critiquing Boston’s rowdy fans and eventually squaring the NBA
Finals, the Warriors return to host Game 5 Monday night against the Celtics.

“They have got a great crowd, a great fan base,” Celtics star Jayson
Tatum said Sunday. “Obviously, they have been in this position many a
time, in the Finals, after the last six, seven years.”

The Warriors were not as complimentary at what they just experienced on
the road, where derogatory chants welcomed Draymond Green to Boston in
the Celtics’ Game 3 win. Steph Curry eventually silenced the crowd with
his 43-point outburst in Friday’s Game 4 win.

How might the atmosphere impact Game 5 inside Chase Center, where the
Warriors are 10-1 these playoffs?

In the Finals’ first two games there, obligatory jeers went toward the
referees, while cheers were reserved for “MVP! MVP!” Steph Curry at the
free-throw line, not to mention the grassroots’ cries of “Looooon!” for
big man Kevon Looney.

“It’s always great when fans recognize that,” Warriors forward Nemanja
Bjelica said. “It helps you a lot, especially in this type of situation
in the playoffs. Our fans, they’re the best in the league. They
understand basketball so they support you for 48 minutes.”

The Celtics weren’t exactly taunted in their past visits, other than
having their missed shots celebrated with applause.

“They treat us like every other crowd: they’re cheering for their team,
and they don’t like us whenever we do anything,” Celtics guard Derrick
White said.

Fans’ furor won’t determine who wins the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy.

“You know, it’s basketball,” Tatum said. “I feel like, for whatever
reason, we’ve played somewhat better on the road these playoffs than we
have at home.”

Indeed. That’s a red flag the Warriors must recognize. Of course, the
Celtics rallied for a Game 1 win here, 120-108 on June 2.

In Boston’s preceding series, they went 2-0 at Brooklyn, 2-1 at
Milwaukee, and 3-1 at Miami, where they won the Eastern Conference title
in Game 7. The Celtics are 4-5 at home since their first-round sweep of
the Nets.

By winning Friday’s visit to TD Garden, the Warriors technically
regained homecourt advantage, in that they would host Game 7 next
Sunday, if needed.

“The most remarkable moment in these Finals I think was going on the
road and winning Game 4 for us,” Green said Sunday. “Anytime you can go
on the road and win in a hostile environment, it’s always a great feeling.”

It was in stark contrast to how the Warriors felt after their Game 3
loss there, amid the curse-filled catcalls toward Green.

“We’ve played in front of rude people before,” Klay Thompson said after
that game. “Dropping f-bombs with children in the crowd. Really classy.
Good job, Boston.”

Hear ye, hear ye: Boston will host Game 6 on Thursday night. But first
comes Game 5 inside, the Boathouse That Curry Built.

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Cam Inman | San Francisco 49ers reporter
Cam Inman joined the Bay Area News Group in 1995, specializing in the
49ers and NFL since 2000.