Nba Finals, Golden State Warriors-Boston Celtics 108-120 in race-1

Al Horford leads his team to 120-108 in the match that opens the series for the title. Race-2 in San Francisco on the Italian night between Sunday and Monday

Incredible Celtics. Down by 12 points at the start of the fourth period, Coach Udoka’s team glows from long range in the final leg and changes direction in a match that seemed to be scored. The triples of Brown and White and the production of a super Horford thus allow the Celtics to conquer 120-108 with great personality in race-1, with Golden State collapsed and unrecognizable in the fourth period.

curry show

The 2022 Finals start in the name of Steph Curry who immediately sets the record straight, this time the MVP prize of the finals if he wants to take it home. Curry finds the basket with disarming ease, the Celtics, however, hold on and with the long-range production they cling to the Californian team. Smart and Brown make themselves heard, Tatum starts slowly but dresses as an assistman, Boston also finds points from the bench of an excellent White. It rains triples on both sides and the audience certainly doesn’t get bored. Steph above all enjoys it, who seems infallible and in the end closes a stellar first quarter with 21 points on the scoresheet and six triples, thus setting a new record for heavy baskets in a quarter of an NBA final. With Steph on the bench catching his breath early in the second quarter, the Warriors keep their foot on the gas. The good impact of the returning Poter Jr. pushes away the hosts who then with Thompson’s triple arrive at +10. When things get complicated, however, the Celtics respond like a great team, Brown takes the team by the hand and pushes them to a 10-0 run that brings them back in a draw. Curry’s return doesn’t help, Golden State’s attack begins to struggle, Poole pays duty on a defensive level and on offense commits a couple of avoidable turnover. Boston keeps the level of concentration very high, makes the ball go very well and finds good shots, closing the fraction in crescendo. In the end of the first half Curry, dry in the second quarter after the 21 points of the first, is also seen whistling his third foul, Boston goes to lead and goes to the locker room at the interval 56-54 ahead. Really applause for the reaction of the Celtics also considering the difficulties in shooting Tatum (2/9 from the field in the first half).

the extension

Things change when the third fraction is sent. Golden State returns to being dominant in attack but not only, he also starts to defend well and with a sumptuous Looney punishes Boston with rebounds in attack. Wiggins and Curry find the basket with continuity, the Chase Center lights up and the hosts take possession of the match. The 21-8 with which the Californian team starts in the second half gives +11 to the Warriors who continue to limit Tatum but have to suffer the triple from Horford and White. Golden State plays its best basketball, touches +15 to then close an excellent third fraction 12 points ahead.

the turnaround

Tatum is unable to find rhythm to the shot but Brown thinks to answer at the opening of the fourth fraction. Boston, with Curry on the bench, scores the first nine points of the fourth period and gets back on track. A crazy match changes script in minutes. Brown ignites the attack of Boston which suddenly becomes infallible from long range (7/7 before Pritchard’s mistake). Tatum remains on the sidelines but White and Horford’s triples bring the visiting team back in front. The incandescent Al Horford pushes the guests to a surreal 17-0 run that silences an incredulous Chase Center and gives the Celtics victory in Game-1. The most fitting epilogue of a really crazy match.

Golden State: Curry 34 (5/11, 7/14, 3/4 tl), Wiggins 20, Thompson 15. Rebounds: Green 11. Assists: Looney, Curry, Green 5.
Boston: Horford 26 (3/4, 6/8, 2/3 tl), Brown 24, White 21. Rebounds: Brown 7. Assists: Tatum 13.

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