Author: Jeff Zillgitt, USA TODAY

While taking advantage of mismatches has always been a part of basketball, matchup “hunting” has grown in recent seasons.

Golden State used a signature third-quarter surge to build a big lead and did not let up this time, finishing off a 107-88 win over Boston in Game 2.

Boston rallied big to stun Golden State in the series opener, but USA TODAY Sports’ Jeff Zillgitt has three keys for the Warriors to bounce back.

The love the Boston Celtics have for Al Horford is obvious, and he’s been delivering time and time again throughout their playoff run.

Boston outscored Golden State 40-16 in the final frame and pulled away for a 120-108 win in Game 1 to steal homecourt advantage.

For the sixth time in the eight seasons, the Warriors are in the NBA Finals. Team owner Joe Lacob is intent on sustaining that success.

After a sometimes chaotic Eastern Conference finals against the Heat, the Celtics are back in the NBA Finals for the first time since 2010.

The Miami Heat’s season ended short of the NBA Finals with a 100-96 loss to the Boston Celtics in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals on Sunday.