Despite the absence of Jaylen Brown, the Celtics started the match with a 14-3 by muzzling the Warriors. Steve Kerr's men, however, responded immediately by raising their tone in defense. The Celtics only scored 10 points in the last eight minutes of the first quarter, and Buddy Hield (16 points, 4/7 at 3-points) imitated Derrick White (26 points, 7/16 at 3-points) by making fly from afar to keep Golden State in ambush (24-19).
The Warriors then drive the point home. Their defensive aggressiveness frustrates Jayson Tatum (32 points on 10/20 shooting) who loses three of his team's five balls in the second period and, on the other side, Golden State increases the pace. Andrew Wiggins (16 points) attacks the circle successfully and the 4/5 3-pointers from Kyle Anderson (11 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists) and Jonathan Kuminga (10 points) puts the Dubs at +11 at the break ( 51-40)!
While a 3-pointer from Stephen Curry brings the gap to +14 on the first possession of the third quarter, the Celtics and Jayson Tatum finally wake up! The star is 4/6 from a distance to score 17 points in the period, Payton Pritchard (16 points) also has the hot hand, and the Golden State defense is overwhelmed. Stephen Curry may have scored 11 of his team's 31 points, but he cannot prevent Boston from returning to -1 (82-81).
In a boiling TD Garden, it was the duo Derrick White – Neemias Queta (14 points, 8 rebounds) who put Boston in front and the Warriors on the verge of collapse (95-88). This is the moment chosen by Steve Kerr to revive Stephen Curry, and the double MVP remembers the good memories of the 2022 Finals. Well supported by Andrew Wiggins, he scores 10 of Golden State's next 16 points to put them back in control of the match with two minutes to play (104-99).
Despite Jayson Tatum's best efforts, the Celtics will not get back in front. Kevon Looney (6 points, 10 rebounds, 6 offensive), Buddy Hield and Draymond Green (9 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists) are on the free throw line, and the Warriors have a fifth victory in a row.
WHAT TO REMEMBER
– Golden State’s defensive display in the first half. The Warriors arrived in Boston with the second best NBA defensive rating while the Celtics have the best offense. Golden State is the team that blitzes opposing pick & rolls the most and this strategy has completely disrupted Boston's game. And it's not just Draymond Green, because Payton II, Moody, Kuminga, Looney and all the players who came into the game were on the same page to attack the carrier but also be rigorous in their defensive rotations. Result: the Warriors forced 10 loose balls and held the Celtics to 13/37 on shots, including 6/20 from three points for only 40 points! The worst half of the season for Boston.
– 41 points in the third quarter for Boston. After suffering from the Warriors' defense throughout the first half, the Celtics dictated their law as soon as they returned from the locker room. They were much more physical, only lost one ball, grabbed seven offensive rebounds and found their rhythm. In the middle of all this, Jayson Tatum was omnipresent with 17 points and constant pressure on the opposing defense. In the end, the Celtics scored one more point in the third quarter than in the entire first half (41 against 40), and were 10/21 from a distance!
– Stephen Curry, the bane of TD Garden. Celtics fans still have nightmares of the famous Game 4 of the 2022 Finals and Stephen Curry's 43 points. Last night, the Warriors star was not at that level but he delivered a strong match for his second game back after his ankle sprain. He scored 21 of his 27 points in the second half to repel the Celtics' multiple attacks, while adding 9 assists, 7 rebounds, 4 steals, and 1 block in 34 minutes of play. With a Curry at this level and a collective who once again responded, the Warriors confirm their excellent start to the season.
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
