The Boston Celtics got revenge for the bankruptcy in San Francisco a few weeks ago and beat the Golden State Warriors in overtime. In the second Finals rematch of the season, the Celtics won 121:118 at home.
Boston Celtics (34-12) – Golden State Warriors (22-23) 121:118 OT (BOXSCORE)
This succeeded, although Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown showed inconsistent performances. Tatum posted 34 points and grabbed a career high of 19 rebounds, but the MVP candidate couldn’t find a rhythm (9/27 FG) and made 7 turnovers, some of which were expensive. Brown had only one shot after three quarters but forced overtime and ended the game with 16 points (6/18) and 9 boards.
The best Celtics player was Al Horford (20, 10 rebounds), who was able to convince at both ends of the field. With the Warriors, Stephen Curry had 29 points (9/25 FG, 6/18 three), Klay Thompson and Andrew Wiggins each had 24 points. Draymond Green scraped a triple-double with 11 points, 13 rebounds and 9 assists.
Both teams were nearly at their best. Brown returned for Boston after adductor problems, the Warriors opted for a small lineup with Poole in place of Kevon Looney. The hosts took advantage of this early on and fed Horford in the post. The Big Man was the dominant figure in the first few minutes, in addition, Big Al unpacked a powerful block against Poole. However, the Warriors caught themselves and converted six three-pointers in the first quarter alone and led by a narrow margin (26:25 after twelve minutes).
The Celtics responded with an 11-2 run, with Malcolm Brogdon scoring twice from downtown. Tatum now attacked the basket more, but then the hosts cooled down again. Brown in particular was still without rhythm, while the Splash Brothers came into play better and better for Golden State. Thompson was already at 20 points at the break, Curry at 15 points, after sirening in from the halfway line in inimitable Curry fashion after a steal from Tatum. The Warriors went into the break at 55:54.
Brown forces overtime for Celtics
And the Warriors continued to do just that. Boston didn’t get any stops at all at first. Wiggins scored 10 points in the first six minutes while Brown and Tatum missed their jumpers. A few offensive rebounds from Robert Williams gave the Celtics a few second chance points, but the champions had gained a small cushion before the final quarter (89-82).
But Boston fought back. They forced turnovers, were quick in the bonus and back down to -1 with five minutes to go. Green had the answer from Downtown, but Horford countered and cleared both Wiggins and Poole from his own basket. Tatum, on the other hand, was unlucky with 3 ball losses, Brown equalized 18 seconds before the end (his first three of the game) when the Warriors defense completely slept. A curry threesome was then clearly too short, there was overtime.
Everything was open there for a long time before Boston made a +7 thanks to Horford and Tatum from Downtown. Golden State stopped getting easy shots, and Thompson fouled with a minute left. Boston got jittery again and Golden State did get a chance to level, but a Poole three from behind the halfway line missed the target by a wide margin.
NBA: Die Stats-Leader bei Celtics vs. Warriors
| Category | Celtics | Warriors |
| Points | Jayson Tatum (34) | Stephen Curry (29) |
| Rebounds | Jayson Tatum (19) | Draymond Green (13) |
| Assists | Jayson Tatum (6) | Draymond Green (9) |
| Steals | Tatum, Smart (is 3) | Curry, Poole (is 3) |
| Blocks | Al Horford (3) | Andrew Wiggins (4) |