The third game of the 2022 NBA Finals was exciting from the tip-off, but in the end it was the local Boston Celtics who took advantage in the best-of-seven series after beating the Golden State Warriors 100-116 on Wednesday in the TD Garden.
From the beginning of the game, the Celtics pressed the accelerator to take advantage on the scoreboard, thanks to the accurate aim of forward Jayen Brown, who in the first quarter had contributed 17 points; to give the hosts a 22-33 lead as Splash Brothers Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson walked away with seven and three points, respectively.
The defensive play of coach Ime Udoka’s team was vital for the Celtics to navigate, to a certain extent, calmly and grow the lead to 18 units at the end of the first half.
However, by the third period, Curry and Thompson sharpened their aim and trimmed the lead to two points thanks in part to the hosts’ turnovers. The Warriors went on a 47-28 run to erase the double-digit difference. Curry by that time already had 31 points, the same ones with which he closed the game.
In the last quarter, Boston again adjusted the defense and caused 14 turnovers by San Francisco (6 in the fourth quarter); In addition, the power forward, Robert Williams III collaborated with 3 blocks and three steals.
The Celtics’ Big Three, Brown, Jayson Tatum and Marcus Smart, combined for 67 points: 27 from Brown, 26 from Tatum and 25 from Smart.
Game 4 will take place on Friday at TD Garden.