The Golden State Warriors blew out the Boston Celtics 107-88 in Sunday’s Game 2 clash to even up the Finals.
Golden State led by just two points at halftime but outscored Boston 35-14 in the third quarter to pull away for a comfortable victory.
Stephen Curry followed up a big Game 1 with a strong two-way performance, posting 29 points, six boards, four assists, and three steals in 32 minutes. Jordan Poole and Gary Payton led the Warriors’ second unit with 17 and seven points, respectively.
“Steph was breathtaking in that (third) quarter. Not just the shotmaking, but the defensive effort,” Warriors bench boss Steve Kerr told reporters postgame. “He just doesn’t get enough credit for his level of conditioning, physicality, and defense.
“People go at him to try to wear him down because they know how important he is to us offensively. And it’s pretty dramatic the difference in Steph’s strength and physicality in his body now than from eight years ago when I first got here.”
Celtics star Jayson Tatum bounced back from a poor shooting night in Game 1, recording 28 points on 8-of-19 shots, including a 6-of-9 mark from deep. However, he didn’t have much support.
Three nights after his fourth-quarter heroics, Jaylen Brown shot 5-of-17, while Al Horford, Robert Williams, and Marcus Smart combined for only six points.
Golden State’s defense stepped up after a subpar Game 1 showing. The Warriors limited the Celtics to just 37.5% shooting and scored 33 points off 18 turnovers.
“We didn’t give ourselves a chance with those turnovers,” said Boston head coach Ime Udoka, according to Spotrac’s Keith Smith.
Udoka added: “That’s been an ongoing theme for us in the playoffs.”
Game 3 is on Wednesday in Boston at 9:00 p.m. ET.
Smirfitts Speech 