By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The Boston Celtics rallied from a double-digit deficit and successfully pulled off a comeback win against the Golden State Warriors, 120-108, in Game 1 of the 2022 NBA Finals.
Down by 12 heading into the fourth, 80-92, Boston quickly went on a 7-0 run which forced Golden State head coach Steve Kerr to call a timeout.
Aside from cutting Golden State’s double-digit lead, the Celtics regained the much-needed momentum and finally got their offense going after firing blanks in the third period.
Boston caught fire in the last 12 minutes and disarmed the Warriors with their own version of fluid offensive sets and established a shocking 26-11 run in just seven minutes to take the lead in the fourth quarter, 106-103.
The Celtics’ offensive onslaught didn’t end and continued until the last minute as the ever-reliable Al Horford extended their lead to six, 109-103, after swishing in a three-pointer that silenced the Golden State crowd.
Stephen Curry was sensational in the first 12 minutes of the ball game and was unconscious from the three-point area after cashing in six of his seven attempts and piled up his score to 21.
Golden State’s high-motor motion offense drained Boston in several possessions and took advantage during the drop coverages every time Al Horford or Robert Williams were switched on Curry.
However, Boston came roaring back in the second quarter spearheaded by Derrick White who made timely three-pointers to keep them in the game.
Seeing a mismatch, Boston’s head coach Ime Udoka changed their offensive approach at the start of the second quarter. The Celtics would attack Curry in the paint when he got switched onto Boston’s bigger guards and will their way in the shaded lane.
With Marcus Smart, Jaylen Brown, and Jason Tatum backing down Curry in the post, Golden State was forced into a soft double that always left a shooter open for the Celtics.
Boston was up 56-54 at the start of the third quarter but saw their lead quickly vanish as Golden State’s shots kept falling and outscored them 38-24.
Jaylen Brown’s huge 24 points and seven rebounds spearheaded Boston’s fourth-quarter comeback after converting five quick baskets and was relentless in attacking the Warriors’ zone which also opened up more scoring options for the Celtics.
Every time Brown penetrated, the Golden State defense immediately collapsed which left both of their wings open, a huge problem they faced as Horford and Payton Pritchard made them pay with their three-pointers.
Boston’s discipline on the defensive end in the final canto was also key in their win after limiting the Warriors to 16 points in 12 minutes and locked down Curry and Klay Thompson’s shooting.
Curry’s 34 points weren’t enough to lead the Warriors to a home-court win and will look to tie things up as they face Boston on Monday, June 6, for Game 2.
Horford top-scored the ball game for the Celtics with 26 points followed by Brown with 24, White with 21, and Smart with 18.
Despite his shooting struggles, Tatum still found a way to make an impact and recorded 13 assists, 12 points, and five rebounds.
