From the first day he became the coach last June, Ime Udoka preached gritty defense and team basketball.

Golden State presents a very different challenge than Milwaukee and Miami in the previous two rounds.

Williams has been limited in the playoffs by a knee injury, but with two days off between most games, Williams should fare better in the finals.

Horford played in 141 postseason games before finally making it to the finals when Boston beat Miami in Game 7.

Boston is shooting for its 18th NBA title, while Golden State is playing for its seventh.

Boston holds on despite a furious rally in the final minutes by Miami to earn a date with the Warriors in the finals.

Commentary: Watching the Celtics rise from an average team to one of the best in the NBA this season has been a pleasure.

Jimmy Butler had 47 points, nine rebounds and eight assists and the Miami Heat forced the Eastern Conference finals to a decisive seventh game by beating the Boston Celtics 111-103 on Friday night

The Celtics’ confidence is high after seizing a 3-2 Eastern Conference finals lead with Wednesday’s win.