Which players will determine what looks like one of the most evenly matched NBA Finals showdowns in recent memory?
On paper, little separates the Golden State Warriors and Boston Celtics entering this series. The teams finished two games apart in the standings and are first (Boston, plus-6.1) and second (Golden State, plus-5.4) in point differential so far in the playoffs. After adjusting for the regular-season performance of the opponents they've faced, the two teams have performed almost identically in the postseason.
In a series this close, any number of contributors could make the difference. Already, we've seen the Celtics rely on reserves such as Grant Williams stepping up as the primary defender against Giannis Antetokounmpo much of their series with the Milwaukee Bucks and Derrick White playing a key role in small lineups.
Meanwhile, the Warriors leaned more heavily than expected on part-time starting center Kevon Looney to close out the Memphis Grizzlies and then beat the Dallas Mavericks in the Western Conference finals. And as ESPN's Kendra Andrews noted Monday, the return of Gary Payton II from an elbow fracture could be important for Golden State's depth in the Finals.
With that in mind, let's take a look at the 10 most important players in the Boston-Golden State NBA Finals, which begin Thursday at 9 p.m. ET on ABC.
