BOSTON (AP) – 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 with two games each.
Curry added 10 rebounds and made two baskets during a 10-0 run in the fourth quarter, which turned Boston’s four-point lead into a 100-94 lead for Golden State. The Celtics missed six consecutive shots during that period.
Andrew Wiggins had 17 points and 16 boards for the Warriors, who will host Game 5 on Monday night. They would also retain the home court advantage in the seventh game if necessary.
Jason Tatum scored 23 points and 11 rebounds, but managed just one basket while playing throughout the fourth quarter. Jaylan Brown scored 21 points and Robert Williams III made 12 fights for Boston.
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.
The extended audience spent much of the game booing Warriors big man Draymond Green, chanting obscene words that are usually reserved for Bucky Dent, and mocking his numerous omissions. The four-time All Star shot 1 of 7, but finished with nine rebounds and eight assists to continue with two points.
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Curry’s ankle was a problem that came overnight after Boston’s Al Horford landed on him late in Game 3. But he didn’t seem to mind 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 of 3 points.
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.
THIRD TIME
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, making four threes.
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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