By Alex Barth, 985TheSportsHub.com
After a late-game collapse against the Lakers in a heartbreaking loss on Saturday, the Celtics bounced back with a gritty win against the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday night, 111-107. The game is the first of the Celtics’ five-game, eight-day road trip.
In a game that had a single-digit point differential nearly wire-to-wire, Boston was able to string together runs at key moments in the game. Those runs, plus a key defensive stand in the final minutes, proved to be the difference.
Steph Curry has nine quick points in the game’s first four minutes, and had his team up 16-11 before Brad Stevens called a timeout. Curry ended up with 17 first-quarter points, and Golden State had a 35-24 lead after 12 minutes.
The Celtics opened the half on a 14-3 run, which was capped by a Jayson Tatum three that gave them a momentary lead. Tatum scored eight of Boston’s final 11 points on that run.
Jayson Tatum ladies and gentleman. #NBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/YKgi79Ma21
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) February 3, 2021
Both teams traded baskets on the odd number for the majority of the second quarter after that. By the half, the game was tied at 52-52.
Boston picked up a lead early in the third quarter, and increased that lead to as much as nine. However, a late Golden State run led to a game-tying Curry three-pointer in the final minute of the frame. The Celtics held justa one point lead, 86-85, heading to the fourth.
Golden State took their first lead of the fourth with nine minutes left. Tatum flipped the advantage back to the Celtics two minutes later with a corner three. That started a 15-2 C’s run, including a 10-0 stretch capitalized by a poster of a dunk from Jaylen Brown.
???? JAYLEN BROWN ????
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) February 3, 2021
RT to make this guy an #NBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/rFDn4Xh6jI
After taking a 10 point lead, the Celtics went without any points for the next two minutes. They didn’t hit a single field goal in the final four minutes, but strong defense and five free throws carried them across the finish line for the win.
Tatum led the Celtics in scoring with 27 points, and came up a rebound shy of a double-double. Kemba Walker had a nice bounce back from his nightmare night against the Lakers on Saturday, scoring 19 points on 6-of-18 shooting. Jaylen Brown rode a strong second half to an 18-point, 10 rebound double double.
Grant Williams (15 points) and Tristan Thompson (13 points) were the only other Celtics to finish in double figures. Daniel Theis came close to a double-double with eight points and 11 rebounds.
Meanwhile, Steph Curry had a monster night for Golden State with 38 points, 11 rebounds, 8 assists, and three steals. No other Warriors player scored more than 16 points (Juan Toscano-Anderson).
With the win, the Celtics snap a two-game losing streak and move to 11-8 on the year. Their west coast road trip continues with the second half of a back-to-back on Wednesday in Sacramento. Tipoff against the Kings is set for 10:00 p.m., with pregame coverage beginning at 9:30 on 98.5 The Sports Hub.
Click here for 98.5 The Sports Hub’s complete coverage of the Celtics.
Alex Barth is a writer and digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Thoughts? Comments? Questions? Looking for a podcast guest? Let him know on Twitter @RealAlexBarth or via email at Alexander.Barth@bbgi.com
