The NBA Finals matchup between the Warriors and Celtics could be one of the most memorable we’ve seen in recent years — a perfect collision between stellar offense and elite defense.

In different ways, both teams are looking to reclaim dynasties built on a smart mix of star power and homegrown talent — just as the superteam era appears to be on its last legs. 

As the league’s most storied franchise with 17 titles, the Celtics are only making their first Finals appearance since 2010, while the Warriors are going for their fourth title since 2014 and making their sixth Finals appearance in eight years. The differences don’t end there.

• The Warriors’ $179M payroll is the highest in the league; Boston’s $138M is 11th.
• Golden State is first in PPG (114.2), APG (28.3), and offensive rating (116.1) — while Boston is second in OPP PPG (101), OPP FG % (43.3), and defensive rating (105.1).
• The Warriors have collectively played in 123 Finals games — the Celtics none. 
• GS coach Steve Kerr won eight rings as a player and coach — Boston’s first-year coach Ime Udoka has only been to the Finals as an assistant.

One thing the teams have in common: a shared belief in prioritizing continuity over splashy trades and free-agent signings.

This is the first time since the 1998 Bulls-Jazz matchup that the top three postseason scorers on each side — the Warriors’ Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, and Jordan Poole; the Celtics’ Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Marcus Smart — debuted with their respective teams.

As Game 1 approaches (Thursday, 9:00 PM ET), speculation somehow seems both lopsided and even — 58.6% of bettors believe the Warriors will win it all, while analytics-based FiveThirtyEight has given the Celtics an 80% chance of taking the trophy.

The Rangers went the distance to reach their first Eastern Conference Finals since 2015 — thanks to their resident Mr. Game 7.

On Monday, Chris Kreider scored twice in the Rangers’ 6-2 victory over the Hurricanes, which puts them in their first conference finals since 2015 — to face the team that knocked them out, the two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Lightning.

The 31-year-old Kreider is the only member of that 2015 team on this roster — and the seven-year, $45 million extension signed in 2020 ($6.5M cap hit) will ensure he’s there to deliver decisive goals at least through the ’26-27 season.

• He’s 7-1 in Game 7s, the second-most wins in NHL history (six others have eight).
• Kreider’s 15 career goals in elimination games are T2 in league history, one behind Mark Messier.
• He has 60 combined goals (52 in the regular season), two shy of the Rangers record (Adam Graves, ’93-94).
• The Rangers have won five elimination games this postseason, the eighth team in history to win as much in a single playoffs.

Kreider’s heroics helped the Rangers win multiple series despite multi-game deficits — the fourth team to do so in a single postseason.

Now, the Rangers (+150) will continue their run for a first Stanley Cup since 1994 with home-ice advantage against the Lightning (-175). 

Ahead of Game 1 (Wednesday, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN), New York is riding a franchise-record six-game playoff win streak at Madison Square Garden.

After 220 starts and 12 seasons in Formula One, Red Bull Racing’s Sergio Perez is breaking out — and being rewarded for it.

On Sunday, “Checo” won the 2022 Monaco Grand Prix — his third career win and first of the season — to move into third place in the driver standings. Red Bull responded Tuesday by giving the 32-year-old a contract extension through 2024.

While 24-year old teammate Max Verstappen continues to lead in points and make most of the headlines this season, Perez is sneaking up behind him — and RBR will continue to benefit from the competition.

• After finishing 18th at Bahrain to open the season, Perez has finished fourth or better in every race and secured four podiums — the most through seven races in his career.
• Checo’s reported $8M salary will likely unlock significant bonuses if he maintains or improves in the standings.
• F1 doesn’t disclose the exact distribution of winnings, but teams split 50% of the organization’s revenue based on the final standings — $2.1B in 2021.
• With 235 points, Red Bull holds a commanding lead.

Rivalry or not, Verstappen — the reigning world champion — hasn’t exactly relinquished his grip on team leadership.

After a third-place finish at Monaco, he paces the field with 125 points in the driver standings — though Perez (110) and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc (116) are very much within striking distance.

The next opportunity for the teammates to duel will be June 12 in Azerbaijan.