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This game seemed destined to come down to the wire. It pitted the Boston Celtics, on a 13-game winning streak, and the Golden State Warriors, winners of seven straight.
And come down to the wire it certainly did.
The Dubs jumped out to a well-balanced, hot start. Even though they turned it over to the bench early (it only took about ten minutes to get a lineup with none of Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, and Klay Thompson), they built a huge lead.
That was partially due to Andre Iguodala, who turned back the clock in a big way, with some highlight dunks.
Andre The Giant!!! pic.twitter.com/zb2RlDYL08
— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) November 17, 2017
Andre Iguodala: 9 dunks all season, then three in the second quarter tonight.
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) November 17, 2017
But the young Celtics were unfazed, and roared back in a big way, to make it a close game at halftime.
The third quarter was exactly the same. Golden State came out firing, but a fourth foul from Curry changed the dynamic.
Steph Curry picks up his fourth foul early in the third grabbing Jayson Tatum during an inbound.
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) November 17, 2017
And here is where the GSW rotation gets thrown off track
Even though Curry had one of his worst statistical games in memory (9 points, 3-14 shooting), and just four points at the time, the team fell apart when he left the floor. A double-digit lead evaporated quickly, and the game was tied entering the fourth quarter.
Not surprisingly, the fourth quarter was a back and forth affair. The game slowed to a grind, with defense taking front and center for both squads. Durant (24 points) and Draymond Green (11 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists) had some big plays on both ends of the floor, and Curry finally started to find his shot.
The game was tied with under 20 seconds left, when Kyrie Irving drew a foul, and gave the Celtics a two-point lead. And they never looked back.
The Dubs continue to take the best shots from every opponent. This time, on the road against one of the best teams in the league, it was a little too much.
Poll
Who was your Warrior Wonder against the Celtics?
This poll is closed
-
27%
Draymond Green
(110 votes) -
38%
Kevin Durant
(158 votes) -
1%
David West
(8 votes) -
2%
Klay Thompson
(12 votes) -
8%
Zaza Pachulia
(33 votes) -
9%
Andre Iguodala
(40 votes) -
5%
Patrick McCaw (aka: Nate, vote here)
(22 votes) -
5%
Other (answer in comments)
(24 votes)