A strong 4 quarter performance helped the Boston Celtics beat the Golden State Warriors 116-100 in Game 3 of the NBA Finals. The win means Boston are now 7-0 in the playoffs after losing the previous game. 

A fast start was a must for Boston in Game 3 and Jaylen Brown put the team on his back to deliver just that in Q1. Brown hit three shots from beyond the arc on his way to 17 first quarter points. The 24-year-old becoming just the 6 player since 1997 to record stats of 15+ points, 5+ rebounds and 3+ assists in the opening quarter of a playoff game. 

Browns scoring gave Boston an 11-point advantage going into the 2nd, but the Warriors offense began to find their feet, as Klay Thompson began hitting his shots after struggling in the opening two games. Thompson (10 pts) & Andrew Wiggins (9 pts) combined for 19 points in the quarter to cut a lead that had grown to as many as 18 points to just 12 at the half, 68-56.

As has been a common trend in this series so far GSW came out fast from half time and dominated the 3 quarter, Steph Curry starting to cook, erasing the Celtics advantage. His 3rd treble of the quarter turned into a seven-point play for the Warriors and appeared to change the momentum of the game. Horford’s foul on the three was upgraded to a flagrant 1. Curry made the free throw and the Warriors retained possession and despite excellent pressure Otto Porter Jr hit from deep to cut the gap to just 2 points. Before yet another Curry three gave the Warriors their first lead since Kevon Looney scored the opening basket of the game inside 17 seconds.

However, Marcus Smart had the answer to re-establish Boston’s lead and they closed out the quarter strongly to lead 93-89 going into the final period. 

A 5-0 start to the 4 quarter from Boston made it a 9-point lead and the Celtics did not look back. Another Smart treble followed by a strong layup from the DPOY put the Celtics up by 14 points. A pair of Jaylen Brown free throws followed and proved to be the final points of the game as the reserves played out the final 2 minutes. 

Brown led the way for Boston with 27/9/5, with Tatum adding 26 points, 6 rebounds and 9 assists and Smart 24/7/5. Curry led the way for Golden State with 31 points, while Thompson added 25 points. 

STAT OF THE GAME:

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Tatum, Brown & Smart became the first trio since Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Magic Johnson and Michael Cooper in 1984 to record stats of 20/5/5 in an NBA Finals game. 

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(Photo- Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports)

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