After getting defeated in game 1 of the NBA finals, the Golden State Warrior’s backs were against the walls. But what they did in game 2 of the NBA finals redefined the meaning of “bouncing back”. In game 2 of the NBA Finals, the Golden State Warriors defeated the Boston Celtics at Chase Center, San Francisco, with a hefty margin of 108-87. The best of seven series is tied at 1-1, with both teams bagging single wins.
The Boston Celtics were attempting to join only two other teams in NBA history – the 1993 Chicago Bulls and the 1995 Houston Rockets – in sweeping two away games to open the NBA finals.
Stephen Curry and Jordan Poole shine for the Warriors
Stephen Curry was the star of the match. He scored 10 points in Quarter 1, 5 points in Quarter 2, and 14 points in Quarter 3, taking his tally of points to 29, along with six rebounds and four assists. He made three of his five three-pointers in the quarter3, which was a decisive factor for the Warriors.
At the end of the second half, the Golden State Warriors were leading by 52-50. With such a narrow lead, the game was poised to be captivating at the end. But the Warriors had other plans. In Quarter 3, they smashed 35 points making the scorecard 87-64. The narrow two-point lead was changed to a significant 23 points lead. The Boston Celtics managed to gain only 14 points in Q3. If this was not the deciding factor, the first six points in Quarter 4 indeed pegged down the Boston Celtics.
The Warriors caused 18 Boston turnovers and scored 33 points as a result of those turnovers as a team. That had a significant impact on the outcome.
Besides Stephen Curry, Jordan Poole also arrived in style and scored 17 points with five three-pointers, two rebounds and three assists. His last-second deep 3-pointer to beat the clock in Q3 made the Warriors fans roar. Golden State was also helped by Kovin Looney’s 12 points and Andrew Wiggins and Clay Thompson’s 11 points each.
Warriors coach Steve Kerr praised his best player, saying, “Steph was just outstanding in that quarter. It’s not just about making shots; it’s also about defending. He simply does not receive enough credit for his level of conditioning, physicality, and defence.”
Boston’s performance
For Boston, Jayson Tatum scored 28 points and Jaylen Brown 17, each with six rebounds and three assists, but they could not overcome the deficit.
It was for the first time that the Warriors’ new home witnessed the Celtics lose. Boston was the only team to win the first four games in the Warriors’ three-year-old home at Chase Center, San Francisco, California.
Both the teams shot 40.5% from beyond the arc, but the Celtics’ 2-point shooting aggregate of 34.9% hurt them.
Draymond Green, with physical play
Compared to Game 1, this game was a lot more physical. The Warriors, particularly Draymond Green, stepped it up a notch, which was crucial to their victory. On both ends of the field, he was all over the place, causing damage and occasionally crossing the line — he had one technical and may have received another.
The Celtics were anticipating that, according to Jayson Tatum, and he wants his team to clean things up for Game 3.
The series now switches to Boston for Games 3 and 4. Of course, Boston isn’t out of the woods yet. To win the championship, the Celtics simply have to win their final home games, which won’t be easy against the Warriors, who made a statement about why they are called the “Warriors”.
End Gun Violence appeal
Before the game, Golden State Warriors and Boston Celtics wear orange T-shirts pleading for gun control. The T-shirt quoted “End Gun Violence”. The appeal was in response to a series of mass shootings in the United States, including a ten-person slaughter at a Buffalo grocery on May 14 and a 22-people massacre at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas.