The Warriors defeated the Celtics in a remake of the 2022 Finals
The Golden State Warriors, the reigning NBA champions, sent a strong signal on Saturday with their best performance of the season with a victory over the league leader Boston Celtics (123-107) in a replay of the last finals.
Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson led the Warriors with 34 and 32 points, respectively. Jordan Poole added 20 for the San Francisco franchise.
But it was especially Curry’s evening, who made six three-pointers of 11 attempts, including one blind, to end the first quarter from about 10 yards from the basket.
“We tried to defend without making mistakes early on and make it difficult for them,” Curry replied.
Aside from the win, the Warriors showed great team play and, above all, great confidence as they climbed to the eighth spot in the Western Conference.
“We just played against these guys in the NBA Finals. We had to send a message,” interior Draymond Green commented.
– “Just a game” –
“Offensively, we got the ball, Klay was gone early, but our defense connected with our offense, which is great,” Curry added, but downplayed the idea that the win meant anything special.
Golden State Warriors’ Jordan Poole (#3) faces Jaylen Brown (R) of the Boston Celtics during an NBA game on December 10, 2022 in San Francisco / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP
“He outscored us by 0.5,” he said as the game lifted the Warriors to 14 wins and 13 losses.
The Warriors, whose record outside the Chase Center has been more than disappointing this season, faces a six-game road trip: 11 losses to just 2 wins.
For the Celtics, Jaylen Brown scored 31 points and grabbed nine rebounds, while Jayson Tatum had 18 points.
The Celtics, who are in first place in the Eastern Conference (21-6), had not lost a game against a Western Conference team until Saturday night (7 wins).
“It was more important to you (the media) than us tonight. It was just one game. … It’s not going to dictate our season,” Tatum said.
“They got us moving … That’s a good thing for us to have to overcome,” Celtics coach Joe Mazulla said, as Boston looks to get back on track Monday night in Los Angeles against the Los Angeles Clippers. .
– Triple-double for Jokic –
Utah Jazz player Talen Horton-Tucker (L) loses control of the ball against Denver Nuggets defenseman Nikola Jokic (R) on December 11, 2022 in Denver / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP
In other games of the evening, reigning double MVP Nikola Jokic had a triple-double (31 points, 14 assists, 12 rebounds) to lead Denver to a win over the Utah Jazz (115-110).
The Nuggets could also hope to finish third in the West with Jamal Murray and his 30 points, tied with the Phoenix Suns (16-10).
Damian Lillard’s Portland Trail Blazers (36 points) defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves (124-118) despite Anthony Edwards’ 26 points and Rudy Gobert’s 24 points and 9 rebounds.
The LA Clippers led by Paul George (36 points) defeated the Washington Wizards (107-114), who suffered their sixth consecutive loss.
It was Frenchman Nicolas Batum who gave the Clippers the advantage with a three-point shot 8 meters from the basket 23 seconds after the end. Before the game, John Wall, who played nine seasons for the Wizards, scored 13 points in Los Angeles and received a standing ovation.
Rudy Gobert (R) of the Minnesota Timberwolves faces Drew Eubanks (G, Portland Trail Blazers) during an NBA game in Portland on December 10, 2022 / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP
San Antonio marked the 26th anniversary of Gregg Popovich’s first game as Spurs coach with a 115-111 victory over the Heat in Miami.
In the end, the Nets, missing eight players including stars Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, Ben Simmons and Seth Curry, still beat the Indiana Pacers 133-136, thanks in particular to young guard Cam Thomas’ 33 points off the bench.
