Author: Jeff Zillgitt, USA TODAY

Steph Curry didn’t need to answer any criticism, but he reminded everyone in Game 4 why he is one of the all-time greats.

Golden State used a signature third-quarter surge to build a big lead and did not let up this time, finishing off a 107-88 win over Boston in Game 2.

The love the Boston Celtics have for Al Horford is obvious, and he’s been delivering time and time again throughout their playoff run.

Down by 12 entering the fourth, the Celtics could have wilted. But the moment wasn’t too big and they stormed back to take Game 1 of the NBA Finals.

Boston outscored Golden State 40-16 in the final frame and pulled away for a 120-108 win in Game 1 to steal homecourt advantage.

As Celtics struggled early, calls grew louder to break up Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. They extinguished that storyline and are in the NBA Finals.

For the sixth time in the eight seasons, the Warriors are in the NBA Finals. Team owner Joe Lacob is intent on sustaining that success.

The Celtics are trying to break a tie with the Lakers for most titles in NBA history. The Warriors can snap a tie with the Bulls for the third-most.