In Game 3, the Celtics reclaimed that advantage. “We had to do it,” Smart said of the physicality with which Boston outplayed Golden Sta...
In Game 3, the Celtics reclaimed that advantage.
“We had to do it,” Smart said of the physicality with which Boston outplayed Golden State. “Match 2, they brought us the heat. For us, it left a bad taste in our mouths because what we hang our hats on is defensive effort and being a physical team.
Golden State couldn’t match it, not long enough anyway.
Golden State outscored Boston by 43 points in the third quarter of this series and took the lead in Game 3, 83-82, on a 3-pointer from Curry. This basket had followed a rapid sequence of 7 points without Boston taking possession. Curry was fouled shooting a 3-pointer, and since the foul was flagrant, Golden State recovered the ball and scored another 3.
But late in the quarter, Golden State’s grip on the game slipped.
“Take the hits, keep fighting,” Williams said was the message in the group after the third quarter. “Obviously they’re a great team that do runs, lots of runs, but just take the hit.”
Golden State couldn’t get through the defense or stop the Celtics from getting a second chance. Hustle games usually went to Boston.
At one point in the fourth quarter, several players got tangled up on a loose ball, and Smart found it before Draymond Green pushed it. It was Green’s sixth foul, and the crowd laughed at him after spending the night shouting curses at him.
Golden State’s Klay Thompson complained about fans swearing at “kids in the crowd.”
“Really classy. Good job, Boston,” he said.
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