On Wednesday night, the Boston Celtics beat the Golden State Warriors 116-100 at TD Garden in the NBA Finals Game 3.
It was Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Marcus Smart who stepped up big in this one, preventing a third-quarter Warriors comeback for Boston. However, despite the dominance of Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, the Celtics were able to contain Golden State’s roster and take a 2-1 series lead.
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Brown scored 10 of Boston’s first 18 points and racked up 17 in only the first quarter to set the tone for the game, which was the second consecutive game he did so. In total, Brown scored 27 points, five assists and nine rebounds.
An immediate double-digit lead and a 33-22 edge entering the second quarter were thanks to Brown’s tenacity. There was also an energy boost from the audience, which roared throughout the match and seemed to keep the Golden State on their toes.
Smart, who scored 24 points, grabbed seven rebounds, and gave out five assists, said how the atmosphere in the first NBA Finals game to be played in Boston in 12 years contributed to their stellar performance.
“It definitely felt different,” Smart said. “It definitely is fuel to the fire for us. It gives us goosebumps to be able to say that.”
Warriors’ effort to catch up
After being behind by 12 points at the half, the Warriors had another great third quarter, including a 12-0 run.
Even though Al Horford was flagrantly fouled in the third quarter, Curry hit a 26-foot three-pointer, which led to a seven-point possession that ended with Otto Porter Jr. scoring a 3-pointer to bring his team within two points of Boston.
Again, Curry led the Warriors to put them ahead 83-82. This was the first time Golden State had been ahead since the first possession.
In the 12 minutes after the break, the Celtics scored 25 points and Golden State scored 33. However, unlike Game 2, Boston kept fighting back. They took back the game and led 93–89 going into the fourth quarter. Check out the best bookmakers for betting on the NBA Finals!
“We got them moving, we got them scattered, defensively we were swarming,” Draymond Green said. “We were all over the place, and we took away what they were trying to do.”
On the other hand, Green admitted that he played “like s—” with only two points, three assists and four rebounds.
“Why we didn’t sustain it, I don’t know. I have to go back and watch the film and see where we let go of the rope at,” Green said. “I’m sure there are some things we’ll look back at and take away from it and make sure we bring it to Friday’s game.”
On June 10 at TD Garden, Game 4 will take place. The Celtics will try to beat the Warriors twice in a row and take a powerful 3-1 lead.
Celebrities in attendance
Several famous people were spotted at TD Garden. One of them is rapper Nelly, who performed at halftime. Another is Michelle Brooks-Thompson, the finalist on NBC’s The Voice who sang the National Anthem.
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft and head coach Bill Belichick were seen in the arena as well.
Nia Long was there to support her fiance, Ime Udoka, who is the head coach of the Celtics. Guy Fieri, a chef and TV personality, was there, as were former Celtics like Paul Pierce and Bill Walton. John Wall, who plays for the Houston Rockets, also went to Boston for the event.
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