Mookie Betts has some advice for the Boston Celtics: Don’t let Draymond Green suck you into his game.
Game 2 of the NBA Finals between the Celtics and Golden State Warriors was in some ways the Green game. His energy was too much for the Celtics, who found themselves getting mixed up with the Dubs’ star defender periodically in Golden State’s win at Chase Center on Sunday.
Now, the series is even at one shifting back to Boston. And appearing on WEEI’s “Bradfo Sho” podcast, the former Red Sox star implored the Celtics to not get caught up in Green’s game.
"I would ignore him," Betts said. "That's not a shot at his personality, that's what he thrives on. They're not dirty plays, it's chaos, he thrives on that. Some people do, some people don't. If I'm the Celtics, I definitely try to shut it out and just focus on my game, because you start playing his game, he's going to win his game. He's going to win that. You don't want to start playing Draymond's game. …
"(And) if I'm Celtics," Betts added, "I would let him shoot every time."
Not allowing Green to get in their heads obviously is easier said than done, but ultimately Betts is right. The only path to a title for the Celtics is by playing the brand of basketball that got them there, not chasing the Warriors’ mentality. And if they can goad Green into shooting a bunch, that also could help.
Their first chance to heed Betts’ advice will be Game 3 on Wednesday night at TD Garden. Tip is set for 9 p.m. ET.
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