The Boston Celtics were victorious against the Golden State warriors on Saturday night by a final score of 119-114. It was a tightly contested for the entire duration, until the Celtics would hit some big shots in the final seconds in the fourth quarter to secure the victory.
The Celtics struggled early in this one starting off shooting 0-5 from the field. The Celtics struggled to stop Stephen Curry and the Warriors offense. The Warriors displayed great ball movement and made great cuts to the basket. Towards the end of the first quarter the Celtics cut into the lead making it a 33-24 Warriors lead at the end of the first quarter.
The Celtics just could not have an answer for Curry and the Warriors; they were very hot from behind the arch. Towards the end of the second half the Celtics would not go away as the Warriors had a 16 point lead, but the Celtics would cut that to a six point warriors lead heading into the locker room down just 66-60 at the half.
In the third quarter, the Celtics came out hot as they were neck and neck with the Warriors, as both teams were trading baskets. The Celtics would take their first lead of the game 71-68 with 9:38 to play in the third quarter. The Warriors proceeded to answer back with a three of their own. Towards the end of the third quarter it was tightly contested as at the end of the quarter it was tied at 89-89.
This Celtics surge was guided by the Celtics great defensive effort and great play down the stretch by Jayson Tatum and Kemba Walker. The offense just kept on rolling as the third quarter was winding down.
In the fourth quarter, as the game started going back and forth, as both teams were trading buckets, with 4:10 remaining in the fourth quarter the Warriors were able to build a little surge extending the Warriors lead to 109-105. But Jayson Tatum would answer back drilling a three to bring the Celtics within 1.
Marcus Smart would grab an offensive rebound and hit a three with 1:16 remaining in the fourth putting the Celtics up 111-109. Smart was just 2-for-10 from three prior to that shot.
“I rushed the majority of my shots tonight, so that one I just wanted to get my feet under me and take my time,” Smart said. “Except I just had so much time that I took every last bit of it. And it paid off.”
Draymond Green would miss a layup, and with 24 seconds left Kemba Walker would hit a dagger three putting the Celtics up 116-111. Curry would answer back with a three, before the Celtics
The Celtics had five players score in double figures. Leading the way for the Celtics was Jayson Tatum with 44 points on 16-25 shooting.
“Just trying to do everything in my power to help my team win a game,” he said.
Kemba Walker also scored 26 points on 9-20 shooting. Marcus Smart also scored 16 points on 5-15 shooting, Jabari Parker had an impressive Celtics debut scoring 11 points on 5-6 shooting. While Payton Prichard scored 11 points on 4-9 shooting.
The Warriors had three starters score in double figures. Leading the way for the Warriors was Stephen Curry with 47 points on 15-27 shooting, and Andrew Wiggins scored 22 points on 8-15 shooting. Kent Bazemore also scored 16 points on 6-12 shooting.
The Celtics improve to 31-26 on the season, and will face the Bulls on Monday at 7:30pm EST.