BOSTON — Wednesday was alleged to be a grand night time blended with some revenge at TD Backyard for the Boston Celtics.
Celtics star Jayson Tatum would stick it to Warriors head coach Steve Kerr for benching him through the Olympics and Boston would present Golden State it’s the NBA’s new powerhouse able to a dynastic run.
However that didn’t find yourself taking place.
The Warriors bottled up the Celtics, who had been with out Jaylen Brown for a 3rd straight recreation as a result of a hip flexor damage, within the first half and held off Boston’s second-half cost in a 118-112 win for Golden State.
Listed below are three studs and three duds from Boston’s first dwelling lack of the season:
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STUDS
Jayson Tatum
It’s easy. With out Tatum on the ground, the margin of defeat would have been means higher for the Celtics. He was the catalyst for Boston throughout their large third quarter, scoring 17 of his game-high 32 factors within the body. He may not have come away with the win however he actually confirmed Kerr precisely how helpful he might be on the ground.
Warriors First-Half Protection
The Celtics entered the competition with the very best offensive score within the NBA. The Warriors got here in with the second-best defensive score within the league. And for a half, Golden State’s protection seemed just like the superior unit. The Warriors held the Celtics to simply 40 factors within the first half, together with capturing 35.1% from the sector and 30% from 3-point vary. Golden State additionally trapped Tatum any probability it might and compelled 12 turnovers within the recreation. It was actually the primary time this season that Boston’s offense seemed disjointed.
Celtics Third-Quarter Explosion
The Celtics responded to Golden State’s defensive stress with a monster third quarter to erase a 14-point deficit. Boston scored extra factors within the stanza (41) than that they had within the first half and did it primarily via hustle and 3-point capturing.
The Celtics crashed the glass popping out of halftime, grabbing seven offensive rebounds which became 14 second-chance factors. Boston additionally discovered its capturing stroke by flattening 10-of-21 triples to outscore Golden State by 10 factors within the quarter.
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DUDS
Draymond Inexperienced
Inexperienced likes to be the nemesis. He was nice in that function towards the Celtics within the 2022 NBA Finals. However Inexperienced was a non-factor with him seemingly being within the twilight of his profession. Inexperienced contributed simply 9 factors on 2-for-8 capturing to associate with six rebounds and 4 assists within the loss. Steph Curry, who totaled 27 factors, wanted extra assist than that.
Jrue Vacation
Vacation gave the Celtics stable rebounding and playmaking however Boston wanted extra scoring out of the savvy guard with Brown out. Vacation scored simply six factors as he shot 3-for-11 from the sector, together with an unsightly 0-for-6 mark from downtown. Vacation offset his capturing struggles with 9 rebounds and eight assists, however Boston wants a bit extra scoring manufacturing out of him.
Luke Kornet
The Warriors had been only a dangerous matchup for the 7-foot-2 middle. He couldn’t sustain with Golden State’s faster and extra athletic forwards, which restricted his defensive impression. And with Queta’s eruption, it’s wanting like Kornet is sliding down the Celtics depth chart. To make issues worse for Kornet, he exited the sport within the second half with proper hamstring tightness.
