Stephen Curry scored 43 points to lead the Golden State Warriors to a 107-97 victory over the Boston Celtics in Game 4 of the NBA Finals on Friday night, sending the series back to San Francisco in two games each.
Two nights after shaking off a leg injury in a loss in Match 3, Curry stepped in and made his way to his third-best playoff playoff of his career, adding 10 rebounds and scoring in 10-0 series. the fourth quarter, which turned Boston’s four-point lead into a 100-94 lead for Golden State.
“This man’s heart is amazing,” said Warriors guard Clay Thompson. “Sometimes we take the things he does for granted to go out there and put us on his back. We have to help him on Monday.
Andrew Wiggins had 17 points and 16 boards for the Warriors, who won at least one game in 27 consecutive playoff series. They will host Game 5 on Monday night, with Game 6 in Boston on Thursday; Golden State will retain the home court advantage in the seventh game, if necessary.
“We had to do it the hard way,” said Celtics coach Ime Udoka, whose team split the first four games in each of its previous two series. “We have to do it again. It could have been an easier way, obviously, if you won tonight. But now we are 2-2. We know we can do it. We’ve done it before. “
Jason Tatum scored 23 points and 11 rebounds for Boston, but managed just one basket as he played throughout the fourth quarter. Jaylan Brown scored 21 points and Robert Williams III made 12 rebounds.
Marcus Smart, who scored 18 points, hit a three-pointer to give the Celtics a 94-90 lead with just over five minutes to go. But they missed six straight shots and didn’t score again until 1:18 after Curry swam and tripled to give the Warriors a 100-94 lead.
“He did not allow us to lose. That’s all there is to it, “said Warriors’ big man Draymond Green. “From his demeanor over the last few days, even after Game 3, I could tell he was going to come out with that kind of fire.”
Golden State beat Boston 17-3 and ended the game.
Fans who arrived at TD Garden for the last time this season found a T-shirt draped on their seats with the 17 banners of the NBA Championship lined up in front. There was an empty rectangle where the 18th would go.
Now the Celtics will have to win at least one more time in San Francisco to fill the gap.
Increased audiences spent much of the game booing Green, chanting obscene words that are usually reserved for Bucky Dent, and mocking his many omissions. The four-time All Star shot 1 of 7, but finished with nine rebounds and eight assists to continue with two points.
He also had an offensive rebound and a dish against Curry after returning to the game at the last minute to eliminate any chance of returning from Boston.
“He is the best competitor. … I made great down games, ”said Warriors coach Steve Kerr. “It’s a tough series for him to score because of Boston’s size and athleticism, but he’s still influencing the game on a huge scale.”
Curry’s ankle was a problem that came in the night after Boston’s Al Horford landed in it late in Game 3. But it didn’t seem to bother him on Friday night: He played 41 minutes – only Wiggins spent more time on the Warriors court – and made 14 of 26 shots, including 7 of 14 from three points.
“It never even seemed to be a factor,” Kerr said. “The physical nature there is quite dramatic. Boston has the best defense in the league – huge and powerful in every position, and Steph to endure such pressure throughout the game and still be able to defend … I think this is the strongest physical who has been in your career ”
Williams was identified as suspicious of entering the game with a knee injury that left him out at the end of the regular season and the start of the playoffs. He started strong, with 10 rebounds in the first half, but limped in the second half and on the bench in the final minutes.
He finished with seven points to the end with four assists and two blocked shots, playing 31 minutes.
The Warriors won the third quarter for the fourth straight game, but not as decisively as before.
Golden State had a 30-24 lead after the break, closing 14-7 to clear Boston’s six-point lead. Curry scored 14 points in the quarter, scoring four three-pointers.
The Warriors beat the Celtics with a total score of 136-87 in the finals.
This time the fourth quarter was decisive.
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