Final: Warriors 115, Celtics 111 -- C's fall short in final minute

The battle between two heavyweight titans lived up to the hype on Saturday night, but the Celtics could not come up with enough plays during the final minute to take down the defending champions as the Warriors escaped with a 115-111 victory. Kevin Durant had a game-high 33 points and Steph Curry had 24 points, while Kyrie Irving had 32 points and 10 assists for the hosts in the setback.

The game was tied up at 111 with a minute remaining after Marcus Smart drained a 3-pointer but the Celtics fouled Klay Thompson (21 points) on the ensuing possession which allowed Golden State to get back in front. A pair of misses on 3s from Marcus Smart and Marcus Morris on the ensuing possession did not go down and Smart slipped on the other end of the floor while attempting to box out Draymond Green on a missed free throw that allowed the Warrior to corral the offensive rebound. Steph Curry then hit a pair of free throws to ice the game in the closing seconds.

Al Horford also added 22 points and 13 rebounds for Boston as the hosts had their 10-game home winning streak snapped at the TD Garden. The Warriors have now won ten straight overall and improved to 4-3 against Boston over the past four seasons.

 

First Half Notes

• Great work by Durant in the post against Brown and Hayward early, getting to his spots. He’s got a game-high 11 points in the first quarter.


• Horford involved a lot early. Some early turnovers but he’s also been a major weapon against Cousins.


• Kyrie showing some tremendous shot/passing balance in the first quarter. 11 points, 4 assists already and could have been a couple more if not for blown layups.


• Misfire by Brad Stevens at the start of the second quarter, leaving Smart out of the game against a Curry/Draymond lineup. Curry got loose on multiple occassions in transition to knock down three 3s in just three minutes.


• Gordon Hayward having a tough game right now on both ends. He’s missed an open layup, has been late on a couple of closeouts. Just doesn’t look at same level as rest of talent on the floor.


• Jaylen Brown and Marcus Morris doing their best to carry second unit offense but not doing so with much efficiency early on.


• Aron Baynes remains a liability on 3-point closeouts after fouling Cousins from beyond the arc.


• Boston’s bench defense was very woeful. Breakdowns all over the place, letting Warriors get whatever they look they want going to the hoop and on the perimeter.


• A little too much iso ball for Boston’s bench as well, even though C’s have managed to get to the free throw line a little bit more than usual early.


• Marcus Morris looking like last year’s version of himself with too much isolation early. He was benched in favor of Gordon Hayward in the closing minutes of half.


• C’s close out second half on a 12-4 run once the starters get back into the game behind the play of Irving (19 points, 6 assists) before the break.

• The Celtics will be at full health for the contest, as Gordon Hayward will suit up after his wife Robyn gave birth to their third child on Thursday. Kyrie Irving (illness) and Al Horford (rest) will also be back after a one-game absence. Jonas Jerebko (birth of child) will be out for the Warriors.


• Boston will be going for a league-best 11th straight win at the TD Garden, dating back to Dec. 21. They will also be going for their fifth straight win overall.


• The Warriors are in the midst of an NBA best nine-game winning streak, which includes six straight wins on the road.


• DeMarcus Cousins remains on a minutes limit since returning to the lineup from a torn Achilles earlier this week. He should play between 20-25 minutes for the Warriors.


• Scouting report: Scouting the Warriors: How does DeMarcus Cousins impact the matchup?