With a win in front of a home crowd, the Boston Celtics would have taken an important step towards their first NBA title since 2008. But once again Stephen Curry stands in their way. The Golden State Warriors star shines with over 40 points – and brings the Warriors back the home field advantage.
The Golden State Warriors equalized again in the NBA Finals and prevented a preliminary decision in favor of the Boston Celtics with an away win. In a tight game, the team scored 107:97 on Friday evening (local time) thanks in particular to their outstanding star Stephen Curry. In the series based on the Best of Seven mode, it is now 2-2 before game five on Tuesday (3 a.m. CEST) in San Francisco. From now on, the remaining games will take place alternately in the two final cities.
“There’s been a lot of talk over the past 48 hours about how we can get back into this series,” Curry told US television. “It’s crazy but I think we can play a little better.” The Celtics got off to a much better start in the loud TD Garden, but before the first quarter was over, the visitors from San Francisco had taken the lead. The lead changed eleven times in total.
Curry was in the game immediately and booked the first twelve points for the Warriors – in the end he was again the best thrower with 43 points and, with his seven three-pointers, had at least five successful throws from distance, as in the previous three duels. That’s never happened before in a final series.
The Celtics convinced as a team, as they did in the home win two days earlier, and time and time again defended the Warriors in a very disciplined manner. But weak attempts from three in the final quarter cost them the lead and the win. Jayson Tatum was the most successful Celtics pro on the field with 23 points. In contrast to the first two matches of the final series, the German national basketball player Daniel Theis was again not used. Celtics coach Ime Udoka only sent eight different professionals onto the floor.
The Celtics have been waiting for another championship since 2008. The Warriors are hoping for their seventh title in history and their first since 2018.
