Stephen Curry praised the Golden State Warriors energy and desperation as they leveled the NBA Finals with a dominant 107-88 Game 2 win over the Boston Celtics on Sunday.
The Celtics had rallied from a 12-point three-quarter time deficit to win Game 1 in San Francisco, but there was no comeback this time as the Warriors blew the game open with a 35-14 third period.
Curry top scored with 29 points, shooting five-of-12 from three-point range, while Jordan Poole also had five triples off the bench for his 17 points.
“We came out with the right defensive energy and approach,” Curry told ESPN on court post game. “Obviously they have a lot of scoring. We had to make it tough for them all night.”
Klay Thompson was a worry for Golden State, scoring only 11 points, shooting four-of-19 from the field, making one-of-eight from beyond the arc.
Jayson Tatum scored 28 points but had a career-low -36 plus-minus, with four turnovers, while Jaylen Brown only managed 17 points. The pair only had nine points between them in the second half.
Boston had an all-round offensive display in Game 1 but Al Horford and Marcus Smart both struggled in Game 2, with two points each.
“Jayson and Jaylen got off to a decent start but we made them take tough shots,” Curry said.
“Offensively we were a little bit more organized. We needed to play with desperation and that’s what we did.
“Good feeling to get back on track, now we need to take it on the road.”
Curry also praised Draymond Green, who was at his divisive best throughout by antagonizing the Celtics, fortunately avoiding ejection after getting tangled up with Brown before half-time. Green had five rebounds, one steal, one block and seven assists.
“He’s being himself,” Curry said about Green. “Finding different ways to impact the game on both ends of the floor.
“Sometimes it shows up on the stats sheet across the board and sometimes you feel his energy, focus and passion. It gives us a lot of life. I know he took Game 1 personally.”
The Celtics had 19-12 turnovers, giving up 33 points off turnover, while the Warriors also had 40-24 points in the paint.
Game 3 of the NBA Finals takes place in Boston on Wednesday.
