Final: Warriors 107, Celtics 88 - Another poor 3rd quarter dooms Celtics in Game 2

Another day, another third-quarter letdown by the Celtics.

And while the C’s managed to overcome a 38-24 Warriors run in the third quarter of Game 1 en route to an improbable comeback victory, you can’t continue to sleepwalk coming out of the halftime break — not against a team like the Warriors.

Trailing just two points after the first two quarters of action, the C’s were doomed by a Warriors’ run that felt all but inevitable — with Golden State outscoring Boston, 35-14, in the third quarter en route to an eventual 107-88 blowout victory for the Dubs. 

With the loss, the Celtics return to Boston with the best-of-seven series knotted up at 1-1, with Game 3 at TD Garden set for Wednesday night at 9 p.m. 

All things considered, the Celtics had to feel lucky that they were in this one going into halftime, considering that they were knocked for 11 turnovers (leading to 18 GSW points) and sank just 28 percent of their 2-point field goals in the first half.

But in the third quarter, everything that could have gone wrong did for Ime Udoka’s club, with the Warriors catching fire from deep and capitalizing on just about every miscue that the C’s committed.

By the time the fourth quarter rolled around, this one was all but over. 

Jayson Tatum scored 28 points for Boston, but was also knocked for four turnovers. Along with a poor shooting night from Jaylen Brown (5-for-17), Boston's other three starters in Al Horford, Marcus Smart and Rob Williams combined for just six points. 

———

NBA FINALS, GAME 2

Golden State Warriors vs. Boston Celtics
Chase Center
8:00 PM - ABC 

PROBABLE STARTING LINEUPS

Boston: Marcus Smart, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, Al Horford, Robert Williams

Golden State: Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, Andrew Wiggins, Draymond Green, Kevon Looney

OFFICIALS: 

#15 Zach Zarba 

#25 Tony Brothers          

#58 Josh Tiven

Alternate: #14 Ed Malloy

Replay Center: Marc Davis

 INJURIES:

Celtics: 

Robert Williams III – AVAILABLE (left knee soreness)

Warriors:

Andre Iguodala – OUT (Right knee swelling)

Gary Payton II – AVAILABLE (fractured left elbow)

Otto Porter Jr. – AVAILABLE (left foot soreness)

James Wiseman – OUT (right knee injury management)

ODDS: 

Golden State is favored by 4.5

THREE THINGS TO WATCH FOR

1. Golden State’s opening haymaker: The Warriors have the feeling of a heavyweight who got dropped in the first round. They're back up on their feet and they've shaken out the cobwebs. Now they're preparing to come out and really fight. 

The question right now is whether that knockdown was a lucky punch that connected because they messed around too much and dropped their guard, or if Boston’s right hook was actually a well-timed counterpunch. The Warriors seem to be betting on the former, and they're looking to come out and son the C’s. 

However, if they're not careful, Boston may just prove to be a worthy opponent capable of absorbing that initial flurry and hitting the Warriors with one of their own. 

2. Tatum’s shot falling: I’ll stand by my postgame assertion that Tatum had a good game where he shot poorly. Now let’s see if he can have a good game where he shoots well. They will still double him and take the ball out of his hands, but will he knock down the shots he gets when he’s the kick-out option? 

I’ll also stand by my assertion that Tatum needs to just play through the contact and not go foul hunting. This isn’t Miami or Milwaukee, so just go up strong and don’t fear the slaps and pokes. Attack and be strong about it.

3. Warriors defense on Horford, Smart, and Derrick White: If the Warriors feel like Game 1 was a fluke, then these guys will all get more open looks. If the Warriors are afraid of a repeat of Game 1, then Tatum will get more room to drive. 

GAME THREAD

Stick around for more comments below as the game goes on. Feel free to add your two cents in the comments.