BOSTON — The Celtics strike first in the NBA Finals, winning Game One 120-108 over the Golden State Warriors. The C’s came back from a double digit deficit in the 4th quarter, thanks to Al Horford. The veteran is turning 36 years old today and has a lot to celebrate.
Either the Celtics were jet lagged from the flight across the country or they were a little tired after a grueling 7-game series against Miami, but they were slow to start. The Warriors had plenty of rest, have been to the Finals many times before, and Steph Curry started the game by draining threes. Golden State led all the way into the fourth quarter, but that’s when big Al stepped in, scoring 11 of his 26 points in the fourth and leading his team to victory. After the win, Horford talked about how his team never gave up.
“It wasn’t our best game, but we continued to fight and find different ways to get this win,” said Horford.
“That’s kind of who we’ve been all year,” said Celtics Head Coach Ime Udoka. “Tough grinders, resilient group that we can always know we can rely on our defense to kind of buckle down when needed.”
The Celtics stole home court advantage and got a win on the road — which isn’t out of the ordinary. They are 8-2 on the road this postseason. For playoff games, Boston typically holds watch parties for away games at City Hall Plaza. But with that area under construction, the festivities were moved across the street in front of Faneuil Hall. Fans tell us never doubted this team all season.
“They were down 13 games at the all-star break, here they are, they just won the finals by double-digits,” one fan told Boston 25. “If you were to tell me this team isn’t winning the finals, you’re absolutely crazy.”
Another fan surrounded by an excited group said, “What brings a city together like sports, you know right, right? Let’s go!!!!”
Game 2 of the NBA Finals will be Sunday night. Then the series shifts to Boston for Games 3 and 4 which is next Wednesday and Friday at the TD Garden.
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