A confounding Celtics defensive strategy is letting Steph Curry cook — but it might not be enough for the Warriors

• Stephen Curry has been destroying the Celtics "drop" defense in the NBA Finals.
• While the Celtics defense has puzzled analysts, it seems to be an intentional decision by Boston.

The Boston Celtics were the No. 1 defense in the NBA this season, yet their strategy against Stephen Curry in the Finals has been a tad puzzling.

Through three games, Curry is averaging 31 points on nearly 49% three-point shooting — huge numbers on the NBA's biggest stage. Curry averaged 25.5 points per game on 38% shooting during the regular season.

The Celtics have been playing in a "drop" defense frequently in these Finals, meaning that while defending a pick-and-roll, the Celtics' big men have dropped further back in an attempt to contain the ball-handler and the "roller."

It's a common scheme in the NBA, but it presents a problem when defending Curry. Namely, it allows the NBA's most dangerous shooter to get a good, clean look from three-point range.

One minute into Game 1, Curry got an open look from three off a pick-and-roll as Celtics center Robert Williams "dropped" back. Curry missed, but it was the type of look defenses almost never grant Curry.

He made them pay 10 minutes later.

If the Warriors were told before the Finals that through three games Curry would be averaging over 30 points per game and making nearly half of his threes, they would probably assume they'd be winning the series. Instead, they trail the Celtics 2-1, despite Curry's scorching start.

It's not that the Celtics have just granted Curry open shots or ignored him on offense — they just haven't necessarily defended his pick-and-rolls with the same fervor normally seen. Teams will often have defenders "switch" on pick-and-rolls — meaning the defenders switch who they are guarding — or double-team Curry to get the ball out of his hands.

Curry burned the Celtics' drop defense again in Game 2.

Right after the above shot, ESPN's Jeff Van Gundy criticized Celtics center Daniel Theis and the team's defensive scheme for not playing higher to contest Curry.

"Theis is dropping,"Van Gundy said. "You cannot guard [Curry] like that. You have to be up if you're Theis."

Curry got more of the same looks in Game 3.

"Again, defending the high screen-and-roll, Al Horford, where you at?" ESPN's Mark Jackson said after Curry hit a three-pointer in the third quarter in Game 3. "You're supposed to be up on the screen. Give [Curry] this much space, you pay the price."

Current and former NBA players have questioned the Celtics' decision to defend Curry this way.

Bad news for the Warriors?

The Celtics "drop" defense almost seems to be a pick-your-poison choice.

If Boston switched Curry pick-and-rolls, it might leave a big man exposed on the perimeter while also weakening their rim protection. If Horford is getting dusted by Curry on the perimeter, he is also not available to protect the paint.

And if they threw a hard double-team at Curry to make him give up the ball (as many teams do), it leaves the Warriors with a 4-on-3 advantage, something Draymond Green is skilled at exploiting.

Boston can still execute better: Their big men can play further up to contest Curry's shots, and their guards can fight over screens harder. In fact, the Celtics have had some success guarding Curry this way.

So, how long Curry can keep this up? As great of a shooter as he is, asking him to continue making 49% of his threes is a tall task.

While the Warriors offense has hummed with Curry on the floor, scoring 116.8 points per 100 possessions, it has cratered when he has sat (91 points per 100 possessions). What happens when Curry cools off from three?

The Warriors have multiple issues in this series: They're smaller and less physical than the Celtics. They've been out-rebounded, 129-122. They have struggled to keep Boston out of the paint and defend the rim.

Meanwhile, Curry is having an historic Finals, and yet it has not been enough to prop up his team. The Warriors will need more offensive output from their role players and to improve its defense because it's unclear if Curry can shoot the ball better or if Boston will continue to defend him so lackadaisically.