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The Boston Celtics won their 11th consecutive game on Sunday, achieving an impressive 52-point victory, 140-88, over the Golden State Warriors.
In a rematch between the two teams that played in the 2022 NBA Finals, the Celtics had their way from the start. Star wing Jaylen Brown scored 19 points in the first quarter alone to propel Boston to a 44-22 lead after the first quarter.
The Celtics' lead had ballooned to 44 points at the end of the first half, Boston's Biggest halftime lead in franchise history.
Warriors head coach Steve Kerr was naturally unimpressed with what he had seen and pulled the plug on the game in the second half, giving the 'Big Three' of Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green no minutes after the break. .
It was a nightmare night for Curry: The two-time MVP scored just four points, went 2 of 13 from the field and uncharacteristically missed all nine of his three-point attempts as Golden State's offense completely stalled.
The Celtics extended the lead beyond the 50-point mark in the third quarter before Boston head coach Joe Mazzulla also addressed his bench for the remainder of the game.
The 52-point margin of victory was third largest in Celtics history. Boston also became the first NBA team to win three games by at least 50 points in a single season. by StatMuseafter demolishing the Indiana Pacers and Brooklyn Nets earlier in the season.
“It feels great, but at the same time, it's always within humility.” said brownwho finished with 29 points, three rebounds and three assists.
“At any time, it can be us and we don't take the game for granted. We don't go out and waste time and that's how we show our respect for the game.
We run business and we take care of it, but we don't do it with arrogance. We do it with humility. And it's a lot of respect for the Golden State Warriors, but we feel like now is our time.”
MVP candidate Jayson Tatum scored 27 points for the Celtics on his 26th birthdaywith Payton Pritchard adding 19 off the bench.
Sunday's victory was Boston's 11th in a row: the C's have outscored their opponents by an average of 22.1 points per game during this winning streak, according to the organization.
Meanwhile, the Warriors were subject to a season low 88 points and suffered its worst loss of the current campaign and the third largest in franchise history.
Despite the lopsided result, Kerr was not worried about the defeat and was eager for his team to move forward.
“This is a 'flush it down the toilet'” Kerr said after the game. “We had a great road trip, 3-1, we've played a million games. Boston was incredible, we weren't beating them today. We will return home and prepare for Wednesday.”
Lester Quiñones, who had his round-trip agreement converted to a standard NBA contract Last month, he led the Warriors in scoring with 17 points off the bench.
Boston's dominant offensive performance made four-time champion Curry reminisce after the game.
“They're hitting 10 3-pointers in the first quarter, that's what teams used to do.” Curry told the media..
“They're the best team in the league right now and they played like that… that was hard to see from the other side.”
The Dubs fall to 32-28 on the season and face another Eastern power in the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday. The Celtics, owners of the best record in the NBA at 48-12, visit the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday.
