3 takeaways from the Warriors game two win in the NBA Finals
2. Third Quarter Flurry
The third quarter Warriors strike again. This team has been spectacular in third quarters throughout the playoffs, and that has again been the case in the NBA Finals. In game two the Dubs outscored Boston 35-14 and that essentially put the dagger in the Celtics.
It is not just the offensive explosion that helped the Warriors get the 23-point lead, but the defense was smothering all night long. Other than Jayson Tatum who scored 28 points, no other Celtic had over 17 points. After allowing 21 made three-pointers in game one a defensive response was needed and the Warriors answered the challenge.
So far the Warriors are +35 in the third quarter in the first two games of the series. Constant closeouts and playing good defense without fouling will be two keys for the Warriors the rest of the series. If they can make sure players like Al Horford, Derrick White, and Marcus Smart do not catch fire from three the Warriors have a good chance in any game.