LOS ANGELES (AFP) — The Golden State Warriors sent a strong signal that they won’t give up their crown without a fight, thumping the Boston Celtics 123-107 in a National Basketball Association Finals rematch on Saturday.
While the Warriors have struggled to build momentum in their title defense this season, the Celtics have streaked to the best record in the league.
But Golden State, with 34 points from Klay Thompson and 32 from Stephen Curry, were more than a match for a Celtics team that came into San Francisco riding a three-game winning streak.
“We just played these guys in the NBA Finals — you want to send a message,” said Golden State forward Draymond Green, who acknowledged the Warriors were also eager to end a two-game slide.
Thompson got going early, scoring 24 points in the first half.
Curry, who connected on 12 of 21 shots from the field and had six of the Warriors’ 13 three-pointers, said defense keyed the win.
“From the start we tried to defend without fouling, just make it tough for them,” Curry said.
Jaylen Brown scored 31 points and pulled down nine rebounds for Boston while Jayson Tatum added 18 points and Malcolm Brogdon chipped in 16 off the bench.
“They have so many great guys that can put the ball in the basket,” Curry said.
“Tatum and Brown have played amazingly high-level basketball all year.”
