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The Boston Celtics survived a furious comeback from the Golden State Warriors to capture the 3rd game 116-100 Wednesday night and take a 2-1 series lead in the NBA Finals.
The Celtics led up to 18 points before briefly ceding the lead to the Warriors in the third quarter. In a series, Stephen Curry hit a triple and received a foul. Al Horford received a foul and a flagrant foul that returned the ball to Golden State.
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Boston Celtics striker Jayson Tatum (0) fights a rebound against Golden State Warriors center Kevon Looney (5) and baseman Klay Thompson (11) during the fourth quarter of the third game of the NBA Basketball Finals , Wednesday, June 8, 2022 in Boston. (Photo by AP / Michael Dwyer)
In the next play, Otto Porter Jr. hit a triple to reduce the lead to just two points. The sequence helped the Warriors return to the game. But Boston’s ability to get and capitalize on offensive rebounds proved to be the mark of difference in the game.
The Warriors outscored the Celtics 33-25 in the third quarter, but Boston still finished fourth with a 93-89 lead. It was enough to keep his momentum going and push Golden State away.
Jaylen Brown started hot and was great in the Boston victory. He finished with 27 points, nine rebounds and five assists. Jayson Tatum had 26 points, nine assists and six rebounds. Even with five losses, Marcus Smart had 24 points and seven rebounds.
Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart (36) reacted against the Golden State Warriors during the fourth quarter of the third game of the NBA Basketball Finals on Wednesday, June 8, 2022 in Boston. (Photo by AP / Steven Senne)
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According to ESPN Stats & Info, the Brown, Tatum and Smart trio were the first teammates to have at least 20 points, five rebounds and five assists in an NBA Finals game since Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Magic Johnson and Michael Cooper. for the 1984 Los Angeles Lakers.
The Celtics crushed Golden State in the offensive cup by 15-6. The team had 52 of their 116 points in the paint and shot 48.3% from the field.
On the defensive side, Robert Williams III made four blocks and three assists. He had eight points and 10 rebounds. Brown also had a key block on Klay Thompson at the end of the fourth quarter.
The Warriors scored 31 points from Curry. It was 12 of 22 from the track, including 6 of 11 from the three-point range. He had four rebounds, two assists and two steals.
Boston Celtics center Al Horford (42) and baseman Marcus Smart, senior, are battling for a loose ball against Golden State Warriors baseman Jordan Poole (3) and baseman Stephen Curry (30) during the fourth quarter of the third game of the NBA Basketball Finals on Wednesday, June 8, 2022, in Boston. (Photo by AP / Steven Senne)
Thompson added 25 points on 7 of 17 shots with three rebounds. Boston kept a passionate Draymond Green just two points, four rebounds and three assists in 35 minutes.
The Celtics went 7-0 after a playoff loss.
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Game 4 is scheduled for Friday night at 9pm ET in Boston.
Ryan Gaydos is the sports editor for Fox News and Fox Business. Story tips can be sent to Ryan.Gaydos@fox.com.