In a game that showcased the Boston Celtics’ relentless and overpowering performance, Steph Curry drew parallels to the dominant style of play that the Golden State Warriors were once renowned for. The Celtics wasted no time in taking control of the match, building a substantial lead by the end of the first quarter.
Their dominance continued in the second quarter with an astonishing 58-15 run, reaching their peak at an impressive 30-3 lead. This victory not only put an end to the Warriors’ recent winning streak but also broke the pattern where the Warriors had emerged victorious in two out of three previous meetings, including a close overtime loss in December.
Jaylen Brown played a pivotal role for the Celtics, particularly in the opening quarter, where he scored 19 points, including three consecutive three-pointers. Brown took full advantage of the Warriors’ defensive strategy, which appeared to focus less on guarding him. The Celtics capitalized on this approach, while Curry, dealing with a knee injury, contributed only four points in the game. Additionally, Kristaps Porzingis’ absence due to injury led to Al Horford starting in his place for the Celtics.
The Celtics’ defensive strategy strategically applied pressure on Chris Paul while limiting the impact of Lester Quiñones and Trayce Jackson-Davis. The Warriors struggled with their shooting, particularly from beyond the arc, as the Celtics’ defensive tactics disrupted their offensive approach. Golden State managed a mere 17.1% shooting accuracy from three-point range. Despite the loss, Curry acknowledged the Celtics’ impressive performance, considering it a valuable learning experience for the Warriors.
The Celtics’ domination continued into the second quarter, with Jayson Tatum finding his scoring touch and the team effectively utilizing a double big lineup featuring Xavier Tillman and Al Horford. Maintaining their strong play on both ends of the court, the Celtics extended their lead to an imposing 25 points. Their defensive efforts put immense pressure on Curry, resulting in turnovers and disrupting the Warriors’ flow. Boston’s lead reached an impressive 71-32 with just over three minutes remaining in the first half.
Coach Joe Mazzulla recognized the significance of the Celtics’ 13-2 run at the start of the third quarter. Despite holding an 8.5-game lead in the Eastern Conference, the Celtics showcased their hunger for success by refusing to become complacent. Curry expressed his frustration with the game, likening the Celtics’ dominance to the way the Warriors used to overwhelm opponents. He described the experience as demoralizing, mentioning the Warriors’ attempts to play “home run basketball” in an effort to compensate for the deficit, but falling short ultimately.