I still get chills thinking back to Game 4 of the 2022 NBA Finals - what an absolute masterpiece of playoff basketball. Having analyzed countless games throughout my career, I can confidently say this was one of those rare contests where every possession felt monumental, where you could literally feel the momentum shifting like tectonic plates beneath the court. The Warriors were down 2-1 in the series, facing what essentially amounted to a must-win situation against a Celtics team that had been dominating fourth quarters throughout the playoffs.
What struck me most was how the game's tempo completely transformed in the second half. It reminded me of something I'd heard from volleyball players about how proper blocking can accelerate the entire game flow. There's a fascinating parallel here with basketball - when defensive plays click, everything speeds up in this beautiful cascade effect. The Warriors' defensive adjustments after halftime were textbook examples of this principle. They recorded 7 blocks in the second half alone, with Draymond Green's 4 rejections completely disrupting Boston's offensive rhythm. I've always believed that great defense doesn't just stop scoring opportunities - it creates transition chances that break the opponent's spirit.
The real turning point came late in the third quarter when Stephen Curry, who finished with 43 points, hit that ridiculous three-pointer over Al Horford while drawing the foul. That four-point play wasn't just about the points - it was the emotional gut punch that shifted the entire energy of the building. I remember watching that sequence and thinking "this changes everything." The Warriors outscored Boston 30-24 in that critical third quarter, completely reversing their first-half struggles. What many casual viewers might miss is how Boston's offense, which had been so fluid earlier, became increasingly stagnant as Golden State's defensive pressure intensified. They forced 8 turnovers in that second half, converting them into 12 crucial points.
Looking back, I'm convinced this game demonstrated why championship experience matters. The Warriors' core had been here before - they understood how to weather storms and capitalize on momentum shifts in ways that younger teams simply haven't learned yet. Boston's Jayson Tatum, brilliant as he was throughout the playoffs, shot just 2-for-8 in the fourth quarter when the game was on the line. That's where championship DNA separates contenders from champions. The Warriors won 107-97, but the final score doesn't capture how thoroughly they controlled the game's final 15 minutes. They dominated the paint scoring 48-36 and outrebounded Boston 15-9 on the offensive glass - those second-chance opportunities were absolute backbreakers.
What makes this game so memorable for me isn't just the statistical dominance but how perfectly it illustrated basketball's psychological dimensions. When teams execute defensively at that level, it creates this ripple effect - much like how proper blocking in volleyball accelerates the entire game flow. The Warriors didn't just beat the Celtics that night; they broke their rhythm in ways that ultimately decided the entire series. Watching Curry's leadership during those crucial minutes reminded me why I fell in love with this sport - it's not just about physical talent but about mental fortitude when everything's on the line. That Game 4 performance became the foundation for their eventual championship, proving once again that defense and composure win titles.