#Warriors #react #style #equalize
Targeted after the fourth quarter of Game 1, Golden State’s defense dominated this Game 2. The Warriors made the gap again in the third quarter, winning 35-14, and this time they managed to keep their lead.
The Celtics thus scored only 11 of their 41 attempts in the second and third quarters, while turning over 9 balls. They turned over 19 balls in total, giving their opponent 33 points. The Warriors, who had to do without Andre Iguodala, lost before the game, could count on 25 quality minutes from Gary Payton II.
From the start of the game, the Celtics send a shiver into a boiling Chase Center. Behind Jaylen Brown’s 9 points, 5/5 shooting, including 2/2 triples, and a defense that causes two fumbles, they take an eight-point lead (13-5). Draymond Green then revives his teammates by increasing his intensity and looking for trouble with the Celtics.
The Warriors then remain in ambush, but Klay Thompson, Stephen Curry and Andrew Wiggins miss several layups, allowing Jayson Tatum to keep the Celtics in front. Only problem for Boston: They turn over seven balls, and the Warriors punish them each time, scoring 13 points that allow Curry to give his team a points lead (31-30).
Another fiery 3rd quarter
Steve Kerr inserts Nemanja Bjelica into his second five to provide more space for Jordan Poole. If the Serb makes a big step, Poole is still on the fairway. He obliges and is countered twice. Klay Thompson imitates him as five points from Derrick White who plays fair gives the Celtics a five point lead (40-35). Steve Kerr doesn’t procrastinate. He takes out Poole and Thompson to revive Curry and Payton II. The Warriors defense then goes up a notch and Stephen Curry can run to throw a 10-0 that reverses the trend (45-40).
Two new award shots bring Boston to life. The Celtics, who turned over 11 balls in this first half and are only 7 of 25 to 2 points, however, hold on thanks to a direction from afar that is still so insolent (19/10). It’s the opposite for the Warriors. His dominance on the racket is confirmed by an offensive rebound by Andrew Wiggins that puts Golden State ahead at halftime (52-50).
Like a trap by Draymond Green and Kevon Looney on Jaylen Brown, the Golden State defense turns up the tone again and that allows them to pass a 16-4 to their opponents thanks especially to the awakening of Klay Thompson and a still precious Stephen Curry ( 68-56)! The Dubs have several opportunities to confirm this highlight, but a Marcus Smart interception followed by two award-winning shots from Grant Williams in the corner and Jayson Tatum in the racket head keep Boston in ambush (68-62) .
Stephen Curry, however, doesn’t want to make the same mistake he made in Game 1. He takes responsibility and closes out an 11-0 run with two 3-pointers that blow up the Chase Center. Jordan Poole finally enters his end and plants a shot from ten meters followed by a shot from midfield at the buzzer to put Golden State at +23 (87-64)!
A new winning shot from Jordan Poole increases the difference to +29 and Ime Udoka empties his bench. The Warriors get the job done evenly, in style, and yet they’ll have to win in Boston in Games 3 and/or 4 to regain home court advantage.
WHAT TO REMEMBER
– Golden State’s defense shows a different face. Despite the Celtics’ diabolical ability from distance, the Warriors were much more active and aggressive on defense. His adjustments begin with Draymond Green, traded to Jaylen Brown or Jayson Tatum to allow him to be in action. The return of Gary Payton II also gives Steve Kerr another tough defender with the man. The Warriors caused 11 turnovers from their opponent in the first half and blocked access to the circle as well as the Horford/Williams pairing. Only the long-range direction of Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Derrick White (10/17) allowed the Celtics to be in the game, but the latter faltered after the break.
– Stephen Curry and Draymond Green knock out Boston in the third quarter. As in Game 1, Golden State returned to the field with a knife between its teeth. It all started with Draymond Green’s tenfold intensity on defense. After holding Boston to 7/24 shooting in the second quarter, the Warriors did even better in the third quarter, holding them to 4/17! On the other side of the field, it was Stephen Curry who took matters into his own hands. As so often in his career, the two-time MVP went into nuclear mode during this period. He made 14 3/6 3-pointers and never stopped attacking a Boston defense that cracked under the constant pressure. If Klay Thompson and Jordan Poole have finally brought their piece to the building, it is Curry who made the difference in allowing his team to win the quarter 35-14.
– The Celtics are taking each other down. Boston’s long-distance drive in the first half and Jayson Tatum’s leap after his first losing game were the only two trees that hid a very poor forest for very long. Uncomfortable with Golden State’s aggressive, rough and tumble defense, the Celtics squandered possession early in the game. They turned 7 turnovers in the first quarter which resulted in 13 points that kept the Warriors in the game. They followed up with 4 turnovers in the second quarter and 5 in the third quarter that gave their opponent 11 points. They finished the game with 19 fumbles, giving the Warriors 33 points. With the exception of Tatum, Ime Udoka’s men were 13-for-43 shooting, or 30% shooting, before Ime Udoka emptied his bench.
TOPS/FLOPS
✅Stephen Curry. The double MVP was exceptional by little tonight. Faced with a defense constantly focused on him, he read Boston’s assistants to often make the right call. He will finish the game with 29 points, 9/21 shooting, including 5 award shots, 6 rebounds and 4 assists, without playing the fourth quarter.
✅ Dramond Green. The Warriors handyman announced that he would play better and he did not disappoint. On the brink of a second technical foul multiple times, he played tightrope walker to bring insane intensity without it hurting his team. His stats (9 points, 7 assists, 5 rebounds) don’t reflect the full impact he had in this game, especially on defense where he was omnipresent.
✅ Kevon Looney-Andrew Wiggins. The two starters didn’t make waves, but they were extremely solid defensively to allow Golden State to put the Celtics on fire.
✅ Jayson Tatum. The Eastern Conference Finals MVP again started off soft (2/7 shooting) before going up in flames. He finished with 28 points on 6/9 from 3-point range despite strong defense from Andrew Wiggins. However, he was too lonely.
⛔ Jordan Poole-Klay Thompson. Both defenses were on 2/13 at halftime, taking more forceful shots than the other. If both raised their heads after the break, Jordan Poole’s strokes of brilliance, in particular, are all too rare. The sixth man has a lot of trash and will have to play more singles in Boston. He finished with 17 points on 6/14 shooting thanks to a better second half while Klay Thompson, who shot a lot to try to regain his confidence, scored 11 points on 4/19 shooting.
⛔ The other Celtics. Jayson Tatum was alone against everyone that night. His teammates finished the game with 22/61 shooting. Jaylen Brown had started well (4/6) but then was clumsy (1/11). Al Horford and Marcus Smart, decisive in Game 1, were limited to two points each and 2/10 shooting.
THE CONTINUATION
Game 3: overnight Wednesday through Thursday in Boston.
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