Boston Celtics outlast Golden State Warriors, 111-107

Chase Center – Feb. 2, 2021, The Boston Celtics begun a five game west coast road trip in San Francisco versus the Golden State Warriors after a narrow defeat at the hands of the Lakers 3 days prior. Boston would start the game with a very shorthanded guard stock as both Marcus Smart and rookie Payton Pritchard remain out. The Golden State Warriors

1st Quarter:

Golden State got out to a really quick start behind 3 Steph Curry triples, with Kelly Oubre Jr chipping in to hit on his first 3 shots for the Warriors before Brad Stevens called a timeout to talk things through. Kemba Walker would soon steady things for Boston posting 9 points as Boston kept tabs with the seventh placed Western conference team. Curry was ridiculous on all 12 minutes of the quarter on 6-10 shooting and 17 points.

In what could be a quiet quarter for our young stars, Jayson Tatum had 6 points while Jaylen Brown had just 2 points for the quarter. Boston’s defensive struggles continued to start the game as the Warriors shot a white hot 63% from the field through one. Golden State would connect on 14 made baskets and rack up 12 assists to start the contest going up 11, 35-24.

2nd Quarter:

Former Celtic Brad Wanamaker greeted his former teamates prior to the tip and he would see time in the 2nd quarter as big man Paschall would also get a run for Golden State as rookie James Wiseman (wrist) would remain out of the lineup as the Warriors would only dress 11 players.

Boston rachetted up the D behind Daniel Theis blocking a certain 2 points to spark a brief run as Boston clawed it back to 4 with Steph Curry on the bench.

Daniel was doing it on both ends as the big man backed it up with a triple for Boston. JT then hit on a three over Juan Toscano-Anderson with Boston going on 13-1 run to take their first lead of the night as the two teams would go into the half-time break locked at 52 apiece.

3rd Quarter:

Boston would carry the momentum where they left off in the second quarter, Jayson Tatum skied a triple from the top of the key and JB hustled on the interior scoring in traffic. Kemba Walker slid across to anticipate and draw a Kelly Oubre charge as the Warriors forward picked up his fourth foul.

Boston came into the game 12th in the league in defensive rating and the second half they really locked in after a dismal opening to the game. Midway through the third the C’s pressured Golden State into 9 turnovers whilst comprehensively winning the rebound battle 31-23 as Kevin Looney would go out injured.

However in true Boston third quarter fashion, the Celtics would let Golden State get back into it late in the quarter behind the hustle plays of Juan Toscano-Anderson. The Warriors wing was terrific and impacted the game for the home team. True to form, Steph Curry would stay hot from deep and log his seventh triple as the Warriors scrapped it back to tie the game at 83. Grant Williams showed poise in the dying possesions for Boston and his second three of the evening as the quarter would end 86-85.

4th Quarter:

The Celtics would open the fourth with Tatum, Teague, Williams, Thompson and Green and that unit would struggle against the Warriors own depleted second unit. Brad Stevens would usher in Jaylen Brown and Kemba Walker back at the eight minute mark to help get something, anything, going for Boston.

Neither team could create seperation as both teams traded buckets until the fifth minute mark. A brilliant block on a Kelly Oubre Jr dunk attempt by Grant Williams would energize the Celtics as the visitors took a crucial eight point lead and created some separation. A cocked slam by Jaylen Brown with the C’s out and running would demolish the Warriors spirits as Boston would go on a 15-2 run.

Steph Curry (38 points, 8 assists) would rally Golden State back into it with a stunning reverse layin and a crucial three made free throws as he caught Grant Williams on balance and isolated at the top of the key. Boston was careless in yet another game and struggled to keep the lead as it was oncce again a one possesion game with a minute to go.

Boston would share the load in scoring as five Celtics registered in double figures. Jayson Tatum would finish with 27 points and 9 rebounds, Kemba Walker would have 19 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists and Brown posted a double double with 18 points and 10 boards. Grant Williams chipped in a handy 15 off the bench and Tristan Thompson had 13 points and 8 rebounds over the smaller Warriors.

The Celtics next face Sacramento tomorrow night as they continue the west coast road trip.