The Boston Celtics put an end to the NBA-record of 54 consecutive wins at home set by the Golden State Warriors with a 109-106 win at Oracle Arena on Friday night. Isaiah Thomas made a layup with 8.3 seconds left to give the Celtics their final lead of the game. Stephen Curry missed a three-pointer with 5.3 seconds left to tie it.
Boston stood toe to toe with the defending champs on the second night of a back-to-back, and sustained every blow after playing them just as tough in the double overtime thriller in December.
Thomas led the Celtics with 22 points, all of which were scored in the second half, including 18 in the third quarter. Evan Turner finished with 21 points and 5 assists and Jared Sullinger pitched in 20 points and 12 rebounds.
Stephen Curry led the Warriors with 29 points and 6 assists but also 9 turnovers. Draymond Green finished with 16 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 assists.
Neither team scored over 25 points in either quarter of a defensive-minded first half, and Stephen Curry’s 21-point third quarter eruption was matched by Thomas, which kept the Celtics afloat.
Stephen Curry hits the 3 from real deep.#Warriors
(via @clippittv)pic.twitter.com/taZIJ0vwjE— NBA On Def Pen (@NBAOnDefPen) April 2, 2016
Stephen Curry takeover has begun.#Warriors
(via @clippittv)pic.twitter.com/tLLgOMdSqr— NBA On Def Pen (@NBAOnDefPen) April 2, 2016
The Celtics heady and determined defense forced 22 turnovers by the Warriors which turned into 16 fastbreak points. Despite finishing +36 from three, Golden State couldn’t stop Boston from making plays and responding to their runs. Boston finished +3 on the glass and +3 in assists. Their execution was sharp on both ends.
The last possession for Golden State after Thomas’ go-ahead layup:
#Celtics end the #Warriors home winning streak.
(via @clippittv)pic.twitter.com/r5s9mkRuP2
— NBA On Def Pen (@NBAOnDefPen) April 2, 2016
With the loss, Golden State needs to go 5-1 to reach 73 wins and capture the best all-time regular season record. Boston finds themselves surging going into the playoffs with the best possible win of the season after a two-game skid.
