The Boston Celtics went on a shocking surge in the fourth quarter of Game 1 of the 2022 NBA Finals, outscoring the Golden State Warriors 40-16 in the ultimate 12 minutes to take a 1-0 collection lead in spectacular trend. Al Horford led the Celtics with 26 factors, together with 11 in the ultimate 5:10 of the sport.
For some time, it seemed as if a superlative effort by Stephen Curry can be sufficient for the Warriors. Curry dominated the primary quarter, scoring 21 of his 34 factors, together with 6-of-8 capturing from three-point vary. Curry added three rebounds and two assists and was the one participant on both group to play all 12 minutes. He scored as many factors as Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and the remainder of the Warriors mixed.
Despite that early heater, Curry ended up scoring zero factors in the second quarter, which helped permit the Celtics to claw their method again to the lead. The Warriors went up 47-37 halfway by means of the second, then the C’s closed the primary half with a 19-7 run to take a 56-54 lead to halftime. Jaylen Brown led the Celtics with 12 first-half factors, and in addition made an enormous play on the defensive finish with a block on a Kevon Looney layup try.
Both groups racked up the threes in the primary half, ensuing in a brand new NBA Finals document for a single half, with 20 mixed. The groups ended up combining for 40 three-pointers.
The Warriors discovered a strategy to surge again forward and take their largest lead of the sport in the third quarter, once they went up by as many as 14 factors whereas outscoring the Celtics 38-24. Curry got here alive once more for 9 extra factors, whereas Andrew Wiggins scored 12 of his 20. Golden State took a 92-80 lead into the fourth, setting the stage for the Celtics’ livid comeback.
Jun 2, 2022; San Francisco, California, USA; Boston Celtics middle Al Horford (42) excessive fives guard Jaylen Brown (7) after a play towards the Golden State Warriors throughout the second half of recreation one of many 2022 NBA Finals at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
According to Micah Adams of The Sporting News, the Celtics’ 40-16 benefit in the fourth quarter was probably the most lopsided last body in NBA Finals historical past.
Tatum scored simply 12 factors on 3-of-17 (17.6 p.c) from the sphere in the sport. Golden State’s tight, bodily defensive consideration compelled principally contested photographs and, finally, deteriorating shot choice and accuracy.
Brown and level guard Derrick White picked up the slack offensively. Brown completed with 24 factors, seven rebounds, and 5 assists. White scored 21, together with an environment friendly 5-of-8 from three.
The collection now will get a two-day breather, with Game 2 coming Sunday night time at 8 p.m. ET at Chase Center.
PHOTOS: Celtics battle Warriors in Game 1 of 2022 NBA Finals
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