Celtics Take 2-1 Lead in Finals
The energy in TD Garden gave the Celtics the boost they needed. The Celtics have not lost two games in a row since the end of March and that has not changed.
Despite a major eruption from the Warriors in the third quarter, the Celtics were able to walk away with a 116-100 win. Jaylen Brown had 27 points while his running mate Jayson Tatum had 26 points.
Dynamic Duo 🔥 pic.twitter.com/kOT1TZQfPu
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) June 9, 2022
Marcus Smart was big as well adding on 24 points and his defensive efforts helped in the fourth where the Warriors only scored 11 points. That is the third-fewest in the Finals in the shot clock era.
The Celtics got off to a fast start hitting three of their first four shots and jumping to a 10-2 lead. Brown led the way for the Celtics in the first with 17 points. Stephen Curry picked up two fouls in the first but stayed in the game. The Warriors switched to a zone and didn’t slow down the Celtics much. They took a 33-22 lead into the second.
The Celtics went on an 8-0 run they led 56-39 but the Warriors would answer back in a matter of seconds going on their own 10-0 run cutting the lead down to 56-49 with 3:32 left. Celtics would extend the lead back to 12 at the half.
In the third, the Warriors woke up and Curry went off. 15 of his 31 points came in the third including an and-1 three. The Warriors outscored the Celtics 33-25 in the third and looked to be a threat to stealing Game 3.
COUNT 'EM UP pic.twitter.com/ZkPfmjt6LQ
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) June 9, 2022
In the fourth, the Celtics recovered well and took a 93-89 lead, and would outscore the Warriors in the quarter 23-11.
Klay Thompson had a comeback game after playing poorly in the first two games. Scoring 25 points and hitting on five 3s.
Late in the fourth Curry went for a loose ball and got his leg rolled on by Al Horford. So far all indications point to the fact that he will be good to go for Game 4.
Overall the Celtics were a much more dominant team and more physical. They outrebounded the Warriors 47-31. The Warriors had no answer for them in the paint getting outscored there as well 52-26.
If the Warriors want to win another championship they will have to match the aggressive play the Celtics are playing with. They are plain and simple getting out hustled and outworked. Curry will have to elevate the play of everyone else around him. So far he has played amazingly well but, it will have to be the guys around him that consistently play better. Draymond has to figure it out, the game he had Wednesday was unacceptable he has to be better and not let his emotions get the best of him.
The Celtics have to keep playing aggressively, play above the rim and move the ball. When they move the ball and get open shots that is when they are at their best. Don’t let Brown and Tatum sit with the ball and shoot stepback 3s. They need to attack the basket collapse the defense and kick it out to the open shooter or draw fouls.
Game 4 will be Friday.
