Boston Celtics Blow 26-Point Lead Against Warriors: Three Stars

Mar 1, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Andre Iguodala (9) drives to the basket while Boston Celtics forward Jae Crowder (99) defends during the second half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

Earlier this season, I wrote that even though the Boston Celtics were not in title contention and may miss the playoffs altogether, that they were worth watching. That piece makes mention of a pattern that once again reared its head in the team’s loss to Golden State.

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Boston, a team that has proven to be capable of both building big leads and erasing large deficits, went gangbusters in the first half, en route to a 26-point lead against the best team in the NBA. But true to form, the lead did not last and the Warriors found a way to get a W.

The game was competitive and highly entertaining, just like many of the games that the Celtics have played in this season. The hope was that finally having a closer in Isaiah Thomas was going to cure the green and white’s fourth quarter ills. The fiery 5-foot-9 point guard was able to help Boston gut out a victory in Phoenix by scoring eight points in the game’s final 1:37. But while Golden State was making its inevitable run to get back into the contest, there was nothing that Thomas could do to help a sputtering Celtics offense.

Here are tonight’s three stars of the game:

1. Stephen Curry: 37 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds

It feels odd saying that Curry had a quiet 37 points but watching the game in real time it truly did not feel as if he was three points away from scoring 40. But on a day where James Harden had several moments that made me say, “That is the MVP,” Curry had some very impressive rebuttals.

Curry shot 62.5 percent from three-point range and his four free throws in the game’s waning moments helped clinch victory for the Warriors.

2. Tyler Zeller: 17 points, 6 rebounds

Mar 1, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) controls the ball while Boston Celtics center Tyler Zeller (44) defends during the second half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

In the first half it seemed as if Evan Turner was poised to earn the game’s first star. He had 10 points and seven rebounds and was giving Golden State’s defense fits. But a quiet second half and a few key plays by Zeller pushed Turner off the list completely.

A minute after Curry had cut Boston’s lead to two, a Zeller tip in pushed the lead back up to four and for a brief moment it seemed as if the Celtics might just be able to hold off the top-ranked Warriors. And shortly after a Draymond Green tip in gave Golden State a two-point lead with 3:26 remaining, Zeller slammed home a Marcus Smart feed to tie the game back up. His 17 points were not only important in Boston building its lead but in giving them a chance to reclaim it.

3. Shaun Livingston: 7 points, 2 assists, 1 block

Mar 1, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) looks to make a pass while Golden State Warriors guard Shaun Livingston (34) defends during the second half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

The numbers are mundane, but Livingston’s impact on this game was profound. As the deficit got larger and larger, Steve Kerr began shrinking his rotation. Despite scoring 20 points, Klay Thompson never truly got it going, shooting 39 percent from the field and 20 percent from three-point range. Livingston on the other hand provided Golden State with terrific defense, locking up Bradley and Smart.

He was also effective when operating from the elbows, where he continuously was able to create opportunities for his teammates.

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