Warriors trounce Celtics in “The Rematch”, 123-107
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT PhilBoxing.com Sun, 11 Dec 2022
December 9, 2022
Basketball’s rematch of the year was better than advertised.
The game exceeded all expectations for the Warriors— the reigning and defending 2021-22 NBA champions— who took down the top team Boston Celtics, 123-107, in what could be their best showing this season.
Both teams entered Chase Center fresh, not having played a game since Wednesday. The Celtics were coming off a 27-point rout of the Phoenix Suns and the Warriors lost to the Jazz, blowing a 4-point lead in the final 13 seconds.
With last season’s humiliating championship series loss still fresh in their minds, the Celtics were out for blood against their tormentor Golden State at the Chase Center, Saturday night.
Six months ago, the Warriors' climbed out of a 2-1 hole, surprising everyone in the basketball universe, and beat the Celtics in 6 games to take the Larry O’Brien championship trophy.
Tonight, the Warriors prevailed over the vaunted Celtics who have the best 21-6 record in the NBA and statistically lead in just about every offensive and defensive category with their dynamic duo Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown clicking.
The Splash Brothers, Klay Thompson (34 pts, 5 rebounds, 2 assists) and Stephen Curry (32 pts., 6 rebounds, 7 assists) combined for 66 points and 10 of the Warriors’ 13 3-pointers.
Jordan Poole, starting instead of injured Andrew Wiggins, contributed 20 points (3 rebounds, 4 assists) for Golden State’s 12th win at home.
Jonathan Kuminga continued to rise and shine off the bench and added 14 points (5 rebounds and 3 assists) on 6-of-9 shooting.
Playing without injured Andrew Wiggins, the Warriors effectively shut down Jayson Tatum with Kuminga and Thompson alternately blanketing the Celtics leading scorer, limiting him to just 10 points in the first half and 18 on 6-of-21 shooting. Jaylen Brown took up the slack and led Boston with 31 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 assists.
As a team, Golden State made 47 of 92 buckets (51.1% FG) and 13 of 39 treys (33.4% 3-PT). The Warriors outrebounded the Celtics 53-39, scored more points after turnovers 20-3 and in the paint 46-38.
By contrast, Boston sank 38 for 87 baskets (43.7% FG) and 12 of 40 treys (30% 3-PT). The Celtics lead the league with 40% on 3-pointers made, but was limited by the Warriors to 30% 3-PT tonight.
Golden State improved to 12-2 at home and 14-13 overall. The Warriors led by as many as 20 points and the Celtics briefly led by 6 points.
Tonight’s Warriors dub made up for their heartbreak, 123-124, loss in a game they should have won last Wednesday against Filipino-American Jordan Clarkson and the Jazz in Utah. Also, the Warriors boosted their quest for back-to-back crowns; however, it remains to be seen if they can carry their momentum against their Eastern Conference rivals on the road.
The Golden State Warriors and the entire league honored Bill Russell by retiring his jersey #6 forever.
Russell’s daughter, Attorney Karen Kenyatta Russell, shared a few thoughts during the pre-game ceremony, as did Warriors COO Rick Welts, whose friendship with Russell spanned nearly 50 years.
The NBA had this statement per NBA.com:
“If Bill Russell’s contribution to society was limited to basketball, only the most substantial NBA career ever – 11 championship rings, five MVP awards, NBA Finals MVP in his name, first Black head coach of a major sport in post-integration America – he would be worthy of being the only player whose number is retired by the league.”
“Russell was such a devoted civil rights activist he was subjected to a denigrative FBI file. He participated in the 1963 March on Washington, where he sat in the front row during Dr. Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech. Russell in 2010 was given the Presidential Medal of Freedom.”
This from coach Steve Kerr of the Warriors: “We’re very proud of the legacy that Bill Russell left here in the Bay and across the NBA.”
Upcoming:
Golden State Warriors: Visit Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday night on a tough 6-game road trip in the Eastern Conference. They will come back home on Christmas day to face the Memphis Grizzlies.
Boston Celtics: Visit the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday night.
Note of Appreciation:
Photos, stats and video are courtesy of the NBA and Golden State Warriors organization and brought to you by PhilBoxing.com.
