Warriors Suffer a 40-Point Defeat to the Celtics! Tatum Achieves Revenge with 22+9+7, Curry Concedes Early with 18 Points
On January 21st, Beijing time, in an NBA regular season game between the Warriors and the Celtics, the Celtics took control of the game early on with a 14-1 run in the first quarter. By halftime, they had built a 15-point lead at 54-39. In the third quarter, the Celtics continued their dominance with a 43-24 score, extending their lead to 34 points. The Warriors conceded defeat early, and the Celtics easily avenged their previous loss to the Warriors. The Celtics' record improved to 30 wins and 13 losses, while the Warriors' record dropped to 21 wins and 21 losses.
Statistical Highlights
Celtics: Tatum scored 22 points, grabbed 9 rebounds, dished out 7 assists, and made 2 steals. Porzingis contributed 18 points and 7 rebounds with 2 assists. Brown added 17 points and 4 rebounds. Holiday scored 10 points with 4 rebounds and 2 assists. Pritchard had 14 points and 9 assists, and Hauser chipped in with 11 points.
Warriors: Curry scored 18 points with 3 rebounds and 4 assists. Schroder had 7 points. Wiggins shot 1 for 11, scoring 4 points and grabbing 3 rebounds. Payton contributed 2 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists. Hield scored 6 points with 2 rebounds and 2 assists. Moody added 13 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists.
Game MVP
Tatum shot 9 for 20, scoring 22 points, grabbing 9 rebounds, dishing out 7 assists, and making 2 steals. His plus-minus was as high as +28, leading the team to a decisive victory over the Warriors.
Highlight Moments
Brown broke through and assisted Porzingis in hitting a corner three-pointer.
Curry nailed a three-pointer from beyond the arc.
Porzingis blocked Wiggins inside.
Tatum drove to the basket for a two-handed slam dunk.
Tatum showcased his fadeaway jump shot.
Game Recap
In the first quarter, Porzingis opened the scoring with a three-pointer, followed by Tatum's mid-range jumper. Porzingis hit another three-pointer, giving the Celtics an 8-0 lead. The Warriors then responded with an 8-0 run to tie the game. Porzingis drew a foul and made free throws to stop the bleeding, while Curry hit a three-pointer, which White immediately answered with one of his own. After a timeout, Santos scored off an assist, Looney made an easy layup, and Brown turned around for a fadeaway shot. Curry made both free throws, but the Warriors' offense stalled. White drove for a layup, Kornet completed an alley-oop dunk, Brown made a strong counterattack layup, and Tatum and Hauser contributed from beyond the arc, helping the Celtics extend their lead with a 14-1 run. At the end of the first quarter, the Celtics led the Warriors 29-18 by 11 points.
In the second quarter, Holiday cut to the basket for a layup, Looney scored off an offensive rebound, Tatum drove for a powerful dunk, and Wiggins made both free throws. Schroder traded three-pointers with Holiday, but the Warriors' offense went cold again. Pritchard scored four straight points, Porzingis made an easy layup, Brown overpowered Hield, and Porzingis continued to score with a high shot. The Celtics led by 19 points with an 11-3 run. Santos scored to stop the bleeding, Curry scored four straight points, and Horford responded with a three-pointer. Moody scored two points, but Tatum immediately answered. TJD completed a powerful dunk, and Brown scored strongly. At halftime, the Celtics led the Warriors 54-39 by 15 points.
After switching sides, Wiggins finally scored, but Holiday responded with a three-pointer. Porzingis completed a 2+1 play, and Curry hit a three-pointer. Tatum cut to the basket for a layup, Brown scored five straight points with a combination of drives and outside shots, Tatum countered with an easy dunk, and Brown drove to the basket. Tatum attacked the rim and hit a three-pointer, helping the Celtics extend their lead with a 22-5 run to a 30-point advantage. Curry hit a three-pointer to stop the bleeding, but Porzingis immediately responded with one of his own. Facing the Warriors' counterattack, the Celtics maintained their firepower. Tatum and Pritchard hit consecutive three-pointers, and Hauser responded to Curry with a three-pointer. White responded to Hield with a three-pointer. At the end of the third quarter, the Celtics led the Warriors 97-63 by 34 points.
In the fourth quarter, the Celtics continued to expand their lead with a 5-0 run. Spencer hit a three-pointer, and Hauser responded with one of his own. With 8 minutes and 4 seconds left, the Celtics brought in their bench players, turning the game into garbage time. Curry sat on the bench with a look of despair, while the Celtics' bench appeared relaxed. The Celtics maintained control of the game and ultimately secured a comfortable victory.