The team that ended the Golden State Warriors 54 game home winning streak? The squad that beat the Warriors at Oracle Arena for the first time in 504 days? It wasn’t Durant’s Thunder. James’ Cavs. Duncan’s Spurs. It was the Boston freaking Celtics — 109-106, and on April 1st. No fooling.
With the Cs up three and five seconds left, Steph Curry sized up an open three, which rattled out. An offensive rebound afforded Golden State a last gasp attempt to tie from Harrison Barnes, but it didn’t draw iron. Jubilation from the Cs, the sad murmur of fans shuffling out of Oracle, and the end of a wildly entertaining game with an unexpected result.
This one felt strange from the start. The Cs were dreadful offensively in the first quarter, but were kept in the game due to eight Warriors turnovers. The all-star trio of Isaiah Thomas, Steph Curry and Klay Thompson combined for 0 points through the first 11:58 of the game until Curry drilled a three to give the Warriors a 23-21 lead at the end of one.
The first few minutes of the second quarter were a slog for the Cs second unit, and the Warriors grabbed what would be their largest lead of the game, 35-28. The Celtics responded with an 8-0 run, capped off by a contested Evan Turner corner three (because why the hell not?).
Golden State led 43-41 at the half. Isaiah Thomas was 0-7 and Steph Curry had 6 points.
The third quarter would be vastly different, and holy crap, was it fun. For a few minutes I thought I died and went to basketball heaven.
The Cs won the third quarter 37-36 in what looked like target practice for two of the games best heat-check guys. IT had 13 points in the first five minutes of the third quarter and finished the quarter with 18 points. Curry was a white hot 6-6 from beyond the arc in the third, finishing the quarter with 21 points. Boston survived the barrage from deep and took an 82-79 lead into the fourth.
In the final frame, the Cs put their stamp on the biggest win of the Brad Stevens era. Gritty defense, second chance baskets and an eerie sense of calm in a raucous environment against the league’s best allowed the Cs to extend and then hold onto their lead until time ran out.
After Harrison Barnes hit a three to cut the Celtics lead to 107-106 with 10 seconds left, the Cs ran a side out-of-bounds play that left zero margin for error. The inbounds pass was threaded to Thomas, just past the outstretched hands of Curry. IT converted on a lay-up to give the Cs the three point lead they’d maintain until the buzzer sounded.
Wow.
The Green
Isaiah Thomas’ third quarter. Thomas was dreadful in the first half, going 0-7 and trying to force things on the offensive end. He came out of the locker room and hit a lay-up, which took the lid off of the basket. He played Curry to a draw in the third.
Jared Sullinger was a steadying force on both ends of the court. His offense was one of few bright spots in the early going and he banged with Draymond Green on both ends. He finished with 20 points and 12 rebounds, including 4 on the offensive end.
Evan Turner hit huge shots down the stretch and had an excellent all-around game. His final line: 21 points, 5 assists, 5 rebounds and 3 steals
One night after terrorizing CJ McCollum and Damian Lillard, Avery Bradley gave Steph Curry, and especially Klay Thompson fits. Curry got hot but finished with 9 turnovers and Thompson never looked comfortable.
The Gross
The free throw shooting almost did the Cs in. Boston got to the line plenty, but struggled to convert. The Cs enjoyed a 30 to 13 advantage at the line, but went just 19-30.
The Greenlights
Sully on the offensive boards
Sully with the big-time second effort! pic.twitter.com/Lj10dfCWer
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) April 2, 2016
A Marcus Smart made three pointer?!?
Marcus Smart beats the clock on a step-back 3! pic.twitter.com/JWwbp3xPpG
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) April 2, 2016
IT taking it over Bogut
Andrew Bogut may have 15 inches on Isaiah Thomas, but that height advantage sure didn’t help him here: pic.twitter.com/XJdhSWZ2ga
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) April 2, 2016
The Grid
The Warriors had 22 turnovers and took 43 3-pointers
In both games against the Warriors, the Celtics held 101-96 leads with under 4 minutes to play
The Cs out-rebounded the Warriors 44-41
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