bolasiar.eu.org, THE UNITED STATES — Unstoppable 3-point onslaught that puts the other team in a state of hopelessness, praying to some sort of higher authority for guidance. Every time the ball squirts through the goal with no resistance from the rim, the bench celebrates with pride. One of those runs that has you combing the record books and unable to believe something like this has ever occurred before.
That was supposed to be the Golden State Warriors' tale in the first-ever NBA Finals game at Chase Center—their return to the top echelon of basketball. A 120-108 victory over the San Francisco 49ers in Game 1 of the NBA Finals drained the life out of a fervent sellout crowd in Boston as the Celtics went on a record-breaking fourth-quarter run propelled by lightening-fast shooting and perfect ball movement.
The story of Golden State's incredible start was already taking shape before the midway point of the first quarter. Stephen Curry was 6-for-8 from 3-point range in the first quarter, putting up 21 points and setting the tone for the rest of the game. Let's fast forward to the second half, where the Warriors' signature third-quarter run transformed a two-point deficit at halftime into a 15-point lead with little over two minutes left.
For many of the Warriors' opponents during the previous eight seasons, a 38-point third quarter has been a death blow. Boston's response is one of the most impressive in NBA history's 75-year run.
Perhaps when people think of the Golden State Warriors, they think of three-pointers. Curry and Thompson's long-distance flurry rank beyond any other marksmen in basketball history. But on Thursday, Boston turned the Warriors' favorite weapon against them.
In the fourth quarter, the Celtics outscored the Warriors 40-16, a margin bolstered by a blazing 9-for-12 shooting from beyond the arc by Boston. They hit seven straight three-pointers at one point, with Al Horford's final one giving his side a six-point advantage that appeared practically insurmountable given the asymmetry of momentum at the time.
Considering that Boston's leading scorer and Eastern Conference MVP Jayson Tatum was restricted to 12 points on 3-of-17 shooting, including a box-and-one, the reversal was even more amazing given that he faced several hard defensive looks throughout the game. A squad led by Ime Udoka and devoted to making the correct play at the right time, no matter how simple it may seem, was symbolized by his 13 assists for the Celtics.
"They're amazing at assisting and stuff like that, and it shows. So, you know, it's just as simple as drawing two, finding someone who's available, and then making a connection "As Tatum put it following Game 1, It's what I was hoping to accomplish.
The manner the Celtics were setting up their three-point attempts wasn't only a factor in their success — they were 21 for 41 for the game. They rushed the ball into the lane and sent perfectly timed passes to teammates in the right spots. This play, in which Boston threw four passes in six seconds to set up Al Horford for an open three, set an NBA record for players making their Finals debut with six 3-pointers.
Let's just say the ball movement resembles that of the Golden State Warriors.
On both ends of the court, the Celtics dominated the fourth quarter by relying on small-ball, a Golden State staple for years. During Boston's first lead of the game, Horford, Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Derrick White and Payton Pritchard were on the floor. Shortly after the Celtics took a six-point lead, Warriors center Kevon Looney was taken off the floor. Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr tried to react with the "Poole Party" lineup that had seemed impenetrable in the first round against the Denver Nuggets, but it was unable to seal the gaps in Warriors' dam that the Celtics had frantically burst away from.
It was impossible for the Warriors to zero in on anyone since the onslaught was so widespread. In the fourth quarter, Marcus Smart, Al Horford, DeAndre White, and Bryce Brown all sank two 3-pointers apiece. One was added by Pritchard. Warriors' slogan "Strength in Numbers" has long been linked to the Warriors, but on Thursday it surely applied to the Celtics as well.
Afterward, Udoka stated the team was "proud" of everyone's ability to contribute on both ends. When your closest friend is having a bad night, that's a nice reward.
In attempt to minimize Curry's shooting and the Warriors' penetration, the Celtics employed more switching and pre-switching defense in the fourth quarter. This smaller group played with more physicality, according to Udoka, and "seemed to wear [the Warriors] down a little bit." Before the benches were cleared in the final minute, they restricted Golden State to 6-of-15 shooting, including 1-for-6 from beyond the arc, and caused as many turnovers as the Warriors had assists. In general, Boston's small-ball lineup paid off, and it'll be interesting to see how it plays out in the rest of the series.
Because their regular season was highlighted by an incredible switch-flip, the Celtics were able to come back from a big disadvantage in the first NBA Finals game. On Jan. 28, they were 25-25 after a poor start. On a net rating of plus-13.8 they went 26-7, five points ahead of the next opponent, and secured the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference from that moment onwards. Throughout the season, the Celtics have been fighting back, and Udoka kept preaching resilience as the Warriors grew their advantage.
"We've been through a lot in the last several years. Lots of ups and downs have happened to us. To win, we know what we need to do "Brown stated following the first game. "Everyone in that locker room deserves recognition, from the head coach to the bench. Fortunately, we've got a strong and capable team. The strength of a chain is determined by the weakest link in it."
If you've ever been in the playoffs, you know that the moment the final bell sounded on Game 1, it was all about Game 2. Both teams will review tape and make adjustments ahead of Sunday's rematch, which may be very different from the first meeting. Nonetheless, on Thursday, the Celtics reaffirmed their belief that they have what it takes to be NBA champions, and nothing can stop them from that approach.
"We cannot go too high or too low. We did a good job, but we know we need to up our intensity levels in the upcoming game "It was a well-thought-out statement. "All of us are well aware that this is a running game. You don't enter the game with the intention of playing poorly. Everything happens for a reason. Just figure out a method to do it."
