The Boston Celtics came out with a vengeance Tuesday night. The visitors started their game at Golden State on a 11-0 run, and never trailed in an impressive 128-95 road victory over the Warriors at Oracle Arena in Oakland, California.
After leading by eight points after the opening 12 minutes, Boston had been leading even into the second quarter by 14-17 points, after running off the first eight in a row. Kevin Durant cut it to 15 again with a dunk with 3:30 to go in the half, before the Celtics closed out the second on a 14-4 run and led 73-48 at the break. An 11-3 run by the hosts in the third got the score within 17 at 87-70 and the Warriors faithful had thoughts of a comeback. But the Celts took over again with a 18-6 spurt of their own including 12 in a row, to take their biggest lead at the end of the third 105-76. Boston (39-26) continued to roll in the fourth quarter sending many home patrons home early, building to a 35 point lead late behind a huge night from Gordon Hayward, handing the Warriors their worse loss of the season.
Hayward finished with a game high 30 points in 27 minutes. He was 12-16 from the floor and 4-6 from three point range, adding seven rebounds, four assists, and two steals. Kyrie Irving had 19 points, five rebounds, and 11 assists. Jaylen Brown had 18 points. Jayson Tatum added 17 points, five rebounds, and three steals. Also in double figures was Marcus Morris with 10 points. The Celts shot 51 percent on the night overall, 14-34 (41%) from the three point arc. Golden State (44-20) was led by Stephen Curry who had 23 points and four assists. Durant added 18 points. The Warriors shot 40 percent from the floor, and only 8-35 (22%) from behind the three point line. Golden State played without Klay Thompson, who was out due to knee soreness.
Boston continues their four game West Coast trip when they visit Sacramento to play the Kings Wednesday night at 10 pm.
