OAKLAND, Calif. _ At least for one night, the Warriors' usual routine stopped. No rest days. No pacing themselves as they navigate through the grind. No sloppy plays stemmed from boredom.
Instead on a late January night, the Warriors offered what we usually have seen in June. The Warriors secured a 109-105 victory over the Boston Celtics in a nationally televised game on Saturday with their stars shining, their intensity unleashed and an outcome not decided until the final moments.
Warriors guard Stephen Curry made a pair of foul shots to give Golden State a 109-105 cushion with 1.6 seconds remaining, marking a season-high 49-point performance that included a 13-point stretch in the final 1:42. Then, Curry made a 29-foot 3-pointer at the top of the key for a 98-95 lead. On the next play, Warriors forward Draymond Green stuffed Boston guard Kyrie Irving at the rim, which led to Curry making a layup for a 100-95 cushion with 1:08 left.
It only seemed fitting the Warriors (40-10) played this way against the Celtics (35-15) considering they might face them in the Finals in June.
"These are always interesting guys when you know you have a chance to be in the Finals and you know the potential opponents are," Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. "You always pay closer attention for that reason."
For Curry, this marked the 15th 30-point plus game this season and the fifth consecutive contest he has made at least five 3-pointers. Just as the Celtics had no answer for Curry's long-range shots, neither did the Warriors for Irving. He had 37 points while going 13 of 18 from the field and 5 of 6 from 3-point range.
Kevin Durant added 20 points for the Warriors, and Green finished with 15 points, 11 rebounds, five assists and three blocks.
