NBA Finals 2022: Hot Takes and Top Storylines for Warriors vs. Celtics Game 6

The Golden State Warriors could be crowned NBA champions on Thursday night. If they're not, then the Boston Celtics will have extended the NBA Finals and forced a winner-take-all Game 7.

The Celtics' season will be on the line on their home court as they host the Warriors for Thursday's Game 6 at TD Garden in Boston. Golden State took a 3-2 lead in the series on Monday night when it notched a 104-94 victory in San Francisco. The Warriors have now won two straight games after falling behind 2-1 early in the Finals.

Boston needs to find a way to extend the series to a Game 7, which would be hosted by Golden State on Sunday night.

So far in the playoffs, the Warriors have had three opportunities to end a series on the road, and they went 0-3 in those games. Will this time be different, or will Thursday end with them celebrating the seventh championship in franchise history (and fourth since 2015)?

Here are some predictions and storylines to watch for in Game 6 of the 2022 NBA Finals.

'Game 6 Klay' Is Going to Show Up Yet Again

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BOSTON, MA - JUNE 15: Klay Thompson of the Golden State Warriors shoots during 2022 NBA Finals Practice and Media Availability on June 15, 2022 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)

Game 6 is Klay Thomson's time to thrive. After all, he's earned the nickname "Game 6 Klay" for his previous performances in these exact types of games. Now, the 32-year-old guard has another opportunity to live up to that moniker.

It started in 2016, when Thompson had 41 points and hit 11 three-pointers in Game 6 of the Western Conference Final against the Oklahoma City Thunder. But he's played well in recent Game 6 matchups, too, including the Warriors' most recent. In this year's second round, Thompson scored 30 points and made eight three-pointers in Game 6 vs. the Memphis Grizzlies.

“It's obviously a nickname I earned. I want to live up to it," Thompson said, per Monte Pool of NBC Sports Bay Area. "At the same time, I don't want to go in there and play hero ball. I'm just going to be in there and be myself, do what I've been doing the last few games. I know that will allow us to be successful.”

Expect Thompson to do just that. He's had some solid showings during the Finals, but he should take his game to another level on Thursday. "Game 6 Klay" will show up again, and he'll put up his best numbers of the series.

Prediction: Thompson scores 30 points, drops seven three-pointers

Tatum Will Not Show Up as Warriors Adjust on Defense

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BOSTON, MA - JUNE 15: Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics participates during 2022 NBA Finals Practice and Media Availability on June 15, 2022 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)

Since a 3-for-17 shooting performance in Game 1 that resulted in only 12 points, Jayson Tatum has gotten back on track in the Finals. He's scored between 23 and 28 points in each of the last four games, and he's coming off a 10-for-20 showing in Game 5.

But Tatum has been a bit inconsistent this postseason. And now that the Warriors have gotten five straight games against him, they may be getting a better idea of how to defend the 24-year-old forward.

Andrew Wiggins has been having a solid series for Golden State, and he's proved he's capable of outplaying Tatum on a given night. That's what will happen on Thursday.

If the Warriors are clicking early, the Celtics may begin to struggle and start forcing shots in an attempt to save their season. Tatum won't put up the big numbers he's capable of, and it won't end up as one of his better shooting nights.

Prediction: Tatum held to less than 20 points, under 45 percent shooting

Curry Will End the Series, Secure MVP

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BOSTON, MA - JUNE 15: Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors shoots during 2022 NBA Finals Practice and Media Availability on June 15, 2022 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)

Thompson and Wiggins will have strong showings in Game 6, and they'll be instrumental in the Warriors having success. But when it's time for them to close out the Finals and secure a championship-clinching victory, there's one player they'll turn to: Stephen Curry.

Golden State is going to end the series in Boston on Thursday night and win another NBA title. And it will be Curry who closes out the win, preventing any idea of a Celtics comeback in the fourth quarter. It shouldn't be surprising, because Curry has been here plenty before.

Plus, Curry is poised to bounce back after a down showing in Game 5. After scoring 31 or more points in three of the first four games of the Finals, he was held to 16 points and went 0-for-9 on 3-pointers on Monday. It's not like Curry to shoot like that, and it's not going to happen for a second time this series.

A big night from Curry in Game 6 will secure the title for the Warriors and finally earn him his first career NBA Finals MVP.

Prediction: Curry scores 34 points, hits six three-pointers, wins Finals MVP