Boston Takes 1-0 Lead in Finals
The Celtics rally from down 12 in the fourth to steal Game 1. Al Horford led the way for the Celtics with 26 points in a 120-108 win.
the birthday boy brought his best in Game 1 💪🏽 pic.twitter.com/A234zTNeny
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) June 3, 2022
The Celtics went 9 for 12 from three hitting their first seven shots from there. Tatum was the only starter that struggled, he shot 3 for 17 but had 13 assists.
In this first quarter this game was trending in the direction for the Warriors to take the game. Stephen Curry had 21 points, the most in a quarter since Michael Jordan in the 1993 finals. He had six 3’s and the Celtics were having a hard time keeping up with him and the other shooters.
Jaylen Brown ended with 24 points, came up big in the second quarter hitting consecutive shots to tie the game before the team headed into halftime with a 56-54 lead.
In the third the Warriors came out hot. They outscored the Celtics 38-24 in the quarter and had a 12-point lead going into the fourth. All they had to do was keep the Celtics back and close out the game.
In the fourth something clicked for the Celtics and they did not look back. Brown would score five quick points and threw a big alley-oop dunk to Robert Williams III to cut the lead to five with 9:35 left. Brown then hit a three at 8:22 to cut the lead to 94-92 before Klay Thompson hit a three.
Derrick White’s three over Curry tied the game at 103. Horford came down the next possession and hit a three to give the Celtics their first lead since the half.
Derrick is DIALED IN pic.twitter.com/95uaVpm0gq
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) June 3, 2022
After a great third quarter by the Warriors it all fell apart for them. The Warriors were outscored 40-16 in the fourth.
Five players scored in double figures for the Celtics and they shot 51% from three as a team. The Warriors were led by Curry who had 34 points and shot 7 for 14 from three. Andrew Wiggins had 20 points in his finals debut and Thompson had 15 in his return to the finals.
The Celtics and Warriors hit 20 3’s in the first half making it an NBA Finals record.
The Warriors ended the Western Conference final last week while the Celtics just beat Miami Sunday to get here. A well-rested Warriors team could not stop the Celtics as they hit timely shots and played great defense.
See if the Warriors can even up the series as Game 2 will be Sunday.
