On Saturday, the Boston Celtics visited the Golden State Warriors for a Finals rematch, and the Warriors came out on top, 123-107. It was a surprise. This year, the Warriors have struggled (14-13), while the Celtics have the NBA’s best record at 21-6.
Golden State’s “The Splash Brothers,” Steph Curry and Klay Thompson, combined for 68 points, 11 rebounds, and nine assists with ten 3-pointers made. It had been quite a while since these two were in sync offensively. Jordan Poole added 20 points, three rebounds, and four assists.
Jaylen Brown led the Celtics with 31 points, nine rebounds, and three assists. Jayson Tatum ended the night with 18 points, seven rebounds, two assists, and three steals, 12 points under his season average, even though Andrew Wiggins, who was Tatum’s primary defender in the finals last year, was unavailable for the game.
It will be interesting to see if Golden State’s head coach, Steve Kerr, will continue using a lineup with Curry, Thompson, and Poole together on the floor. The reason is that the team lacks size when Draymond Green or Andrew Wiggins comes off the bench. So teams with more dominant big men, like the Bucks, Nuggets, or Sixers, could have the advantage.
Now in eighth place in the West after the win, the Warriors launch a six-game road trip starting Tuesday night in Milwaukee. The team won’t return to their friendly confines until Christmas, when they square off against the Grizzlies. The Celtics continue their West Coast, playing the Clippers in LA tonight and the Lakers there on Tuesday.
