NBA Hoops

A big win: 10 Takeaways from Boston Celtics-Golden State Warriors

A big win: 10 Takeaways from Boston Celtics-Golden State Warriors

1. Wow.

Just…wow.

The Boston Celtics were never really out of it against the Golden State Warriors. The most Boston trailed by was 11 points, and that was very briefly. But, for much of the second half, it was a six-point deficit that felt like a 16-point deficit.

Then, it wasn’t a deficit at all.

Boston tied it up, got a stop to force overtime. Then they took a healthy lead in the extra period.

And in true Celtics fashion, they made it harder than it needed to be in the final minute or so. But they won. Ugly wins count just the same as pretty ones do in the standings. That’s the same as a win over the Charlotte Hornets counting the same as win over the defending champs.

But this wasn’t the same, even if the standings would have you believe otherwise. This was a big game. This was a chance for Boston to show they can still beat Golden State.

And they did it. And having to fight for it, through a whole bunch of chaotic, messy moments, somehow that feels even better and much more Celtics.

2. Al Horford admitted postgame that he really wanted to win this game. Horford didn’t have to say it though. His play made that clear.

The Warriors went small to open the game, in a curious move by Steve Kerr. Horford took advantage immediately. After drawing a couple of early free throws, Horford got right into the post against Andrew Wiggins. He patiently waved Rob Williams out of the paint and got to work:

A little later, Horford hit Wiggins with the “too small” after bullying him in the post:

Everyone else stopped here, except for Jordan Poole…and Horford:

When Kerr did go to Kevon Looney, he seemed a little out of rhythm. This isn’t a great closeout and Horford made him pay for it:

On the final play of regulation, Horford stuck right with Stephen Curry and made him take a contested shot as time expired:

And in overtime, it was Horford who helped put Curry and the Warriors to bed:

The best part of these clips? The first four came in the first quarter. The last two came late in the game, when the oldest player on the floor looked as ready to go as he did at tip-off. Boston doesn’t win without Al Horford having a monster night.

3. The Celtics also don’t win this game without a big night from Rob Williams. Williams teamed with Horford to control the paint all night.

Williams is obviously a game-changer for Boston on the interior. His size just shows up sometimes, like on this play. Williams slips the screen from Tatum and…

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