The Golden State Warriors strike back in Game 2 to even the NBA Finals at one game apiece.
After their Game 1 loss to the Boston Celtics, in the Golden State Warriors blew a double-digit fourth-quarter lead, Draymond Green said the team would be fine and that the former wouldn’t have that type of shooting night again.
At least in Game 2, Draymond appeared to sound more like Nostradamus than just a sore loser. The Warriors used a strong third quarter, including some stingy defense, to cruise to a 107-88 victory in Game 2 to tie the NBA Finals series at one game apiece.
Interestingly, the Celtics still hit 15 3’s on 40 percent shooting from deep. Though, Golden State stopped them nearly everywhere else. Overall, Boston only shot 37 percent from the field overall.
Jayson Tatum finished with 28 points but only one other starter scored more than two points – Jaylen Brown, who finished with 17 on just 5-17 shooting from the field. Al Horford, Robert Williams, and Marcus Smart combined to score just six points on 3-11 shooting from the field.
To put that impact – or lack of impact – into perspective, those three combined for 52 points on 20-27 shooting from the field.
Quite the difference.
But you have to credit the Warriors’ defense. They were challenged and they answered the call. They essentially allowed Tatum and Brown beat them and they couldn’t. At least not in Game 2.
On the offensive end, the Warriors were led by another high-scoring night from Stephen Curry. He once again struggled with his efficiency but finished with a game-high 29 points, six rebounds, and four assists.
Jordan Poole added 17 points off the bench to help the Warriors outlast Boston in Game 2. With the series tied at one game apiece, the NBA Finals will shift to Boston for Games 3 and 4.
The Warriors answered Boston’s impressive Game 1 come-from-behind victory. Now it’s the Celtics’ turn to make some adjustments.