Stephen Curry leads Golden State to a big win over Boston

Pointed out after the last quarter of Game 1, Golden State’s defense dominated this Game 2. The Warriors made the hole again in the third quarter, won 35-14, and this time they managed to keep their lead.

The Celtics scored only 11 of their 41 attempts in the 2nd and 3rd quarters, while losing 9 balls. They lost 19 balls in total which gave 33 points to their opponent. The Warriors, who had to do without Andre Iguodala, who was out of the game, were able to count on 25 quality minutes from Gary Payton II.

From the start of the game, the Celtics threw a cold shoulder in a boiling Chase Center. Behind 9 points from Jaylen Brown, a 5/5 on shots, including 2/2 on 3-points, and a defense that causes two lost balls, they take an eight points lead (13-5). Draymond Green then relaunches his partners by increasing his intensity and by looking for trouble to the Celtics.

The Warriors remain in ambush but Klay Thompson, Stephen Curry, and Andrew Wiggins miss several layups that allows Jayson Tatum to keep the Celtics ahead. Only problem for Boston : they lose seven balls, and the Warriors punish them each time, scoring 13 points that allow Curry to give a one point lead to his team (31-30).

Another fiery 3rd quarter

Steve Kerr inserts Nemanja Bjelica in his second five to offer more space to Jordan Poole. If the Serbian makes a great pass, Poole continues to be in the street. He forces and is countered twice. Klay Thompson imitates him while five points from a Derrick White who just plays gives five points to the Celtics (40-35). Steve Kerr does not hesitate. He takes out Poole and Thompson to start Curry and Payton II. The Warriors’ defense goes up a notch, and Stephen Curry can run to launch a 10-0 that reverses the trend (45-40).

Two more shots from the field put Boston back on track. The Celtics, who lost 11 balls in this first half and are only 7 out of 25 at 2-points, are still holding on thanks to a still insolent address from far (10/19). It is the opposite for the Warriors. Their domination in the basket is confirmed with an offensive rebound of Andrew Wiggins that puts Golden State ahead at the break (52-50).

Like a trap of Draymond Green and Kevon Looney on Jaylen Brown, Golden State’s defense still raises the tone and it allows them to pass a 16-4 to their opponents thanks to the awakening of Klay Thompson and a Stephen Curry always as valuable (68-56) ! The Dubs have several times the opportunity to confirm this strong time but an interception of Marcus Smart followed by two primitive shots of Grant Williams in the corner and Jayson Tatum at the head of the racket keep Boston in ambush (68-62).

Stephen Curry does not want to make the same mistake as in Game 1. He takes his responsibilities and finishes an 11-0 with two 3-points that make the Chase Center explode. Jordan Poole then finally enters his final, and plants a shot from ten meters followed by a shot from the middle of the court at the buzzer to put Golden State at 23 (87-64)!

Another Jordan Poole jump shot brings the lead to 29 and Ime Udoka empties his bench. The Warriors accomplished their mission by tying the score, and in style, but they will have to win in Boston in Games 3 and/or 4 to regain home court advantage.

WHAT TO REMEMBER

– Golden State’s defense showed a different face. Despite the Celtics’ diabolical skill from distance, the Warriors have been much more active and aggressive on defense. Their adjustments start with Draymond Green, shifted to Jaylen Brown or Jayson Tatum to allow him to be in the action. The return of Gary Payton II also gives Steve Kerr another tough on man defender. The Warriors caused 11 loose balls from their opponent in the first half and locked down access to the circle as well as the Horford/Williams pair. Only the long range skills of Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Derrick White (10/17) allowed the Celtics to be in the game but the latter wavered after the break.

– Stephen Curry and Draymond Green knocked out Boston in the third quarter. As in Game 1, Golden State came back on the court with the knife between their teeth. It all started with the tenfold intensity of Draymond Green on defense. After holding Boston to 7/24 in the second quarter, the Warriors did even better in the third quarter, limiting them to 4/17! On the other side of the court, it was Stephen Curry who took charge. As often in his career, the double MVP went nuclear in this period. He scored 14 points at 3/6 to 3-points and never stopped attacking a Boston defense that cracked under this constant pressure. If Klay Thompson and Jordan Poole have each finally brought their piece to the building, it is Curry who made the difference to allow his team to win the quarter 35-14.

– The Celtics scuttled. Boston’s long-range address in the first half and Jayson Tatum’s jump after his first missed game were the only two trees that hid a very poor forest. Uncomfortable against Golden State’s aggressive, rough and borderline legal defense, the Celtics wasted possessions from the beginning of the game. They lost 7 balls in the first quarter that led to 13 points that kept the Warriors in the game. They followed that up with 4 turnovers in the second quarter, and 5 in the third quarter that led to 11 points for their opponent. They finished the game with 19 loose balls, which gave 33 points to the Warriors. With the exception of Tatum, Ime Udoka’s men were 13 of 43 on shots, or 30 th success before Ime Udoka emptied his bench.

TOPS/FLOPS

✅Stephen Curry. The two-time MVP was exceptional in his tightness tonight. Facing a defense constantly focused on him, he was able to read Boston’s assists to often make the right decision. He finished the game with 29 points, at 9/21 shooting, including 5 jump shots, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists, without playing the last quarter.

✅ Draymond Green. The Warriors’ go-to guy had announced that he would play better and he did not disappoint. On the verge of a second technical foul on several occasions, he played tightrope walker to bring a crazy intensity without it hurting his team. His stats (9 points, 7 assists, 5 rebounds) do not reflect the full impact he had on this game, especially on defense where he was omnipresent.

✅ Kevon Looney – Andrew Wiggins. The two starters didn’t make any waves but were extremely solid on defense to allow Golden State to put the Celtics are the shutout.

✅ Jayson Tatum. The Eastern Conference Finals MVP again started slow (2/7 shooting) before catching fire. He finished with 28 points at 6/9 from 3-point range despite Andrew Wiggins’ good defense. However, he was far too streaky.

⛔ Jordan Poole – Klay Thompson. The two backs were at 2/13 at halftime, taking more forced shots than each other. If they both raised their heads after the break, Jordan Poole’s shots, in particular, are too rare. The sixth man had a lot of waste and will have to play simpler in Boston. He finished with 17 points at 6/14 on shots thanks to a better second half while Klay Thompson, who shot a lot to try to get his confidence back, scored 11 points at 4/19 on shots.

⛔ The other Celtics. Jayson Tatum was alone against all this night. His teammates finished the game at 22/61 on shots. Jaylen Brown had started well (4/6) but was clumsy afterwards (1/11). Al Horford and Marcus Smart, decisive in Game 1, were limited to two points each and 2/10 in shots.

THE CONTINUATION

Game 3 : in the night of Wednesday to Thursday in Boston.

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