Game 1 of the NBA Finals is officially in the books.
Despite being the more rested team, it was the Warriors who looked fatigued in the final quarter as the Celtics, who trailed 103-100 at one stage, closed the game on a 20-5 run to steal away homecourt advantage with a 120-108 victory.
We break down the key player ratings for you right here and give each player a rating out of 10 for their performance in Game 1 of the NBA Finals.
Steph Curry
If you told folks that Curry would set the NBA Finals record for three-pointers made in a quarter with six in the first quarter, you’d be forgiven for thinking that the Warriors would have blown out their opponent.
That was not the case though as Curry would go on to hit just one more triple after his early offensive onslaught.
He still finished 7-of-14 from long rang and 12-of-25 overall for 34 points, five rebounds and five assists. But it did appear like Curry was forcing things a little too much — especially in the second half as he tried to recapture the fire of the first quarter.
Curry’s 21 points are the most points scored in the first quarter of any Finals game over the last 50 seasons.
Rating: 8
Al Horford
Horford, playing in his first-ever NBA Finals showed up and showed out.
Big Al has shown glimpses of taking over games during this postseason run, and many wondered what kind of impact he would have in the NBA Finals.
Well, he absolutely balled out in Game 1 and was a key part of the Celtics’ massive fourth quarter in which they outscored the Warriors 40-16.
Horford was a perfect 4-of-4 in the fourth quarter and scored or assisted on 14 of Boston’s final 17 points.
Horford finished the game with 26 points (9-of-12 shooting), six rebounds, three assists and he was 6-of-8 from long-range.
Rating: 10
