The Boston Celtics were the best defensive team in the entire NBA in the 2021-22 regular season. Even though they gave up 100 points to the Golden State Warriors in game three of the NBA Finals on Wednesday in a 116-100 victory to take a 2-1 series lead, there were flashes of brilliance of just how strong the Celtics’ defense can be.
In their win over the Warriors, Boston only gave up 11 fourth quarter points. The fact they were playing the high-octane offense of Golden State and only gave up 11 points in 12 minutes is down right mind-boggling. What is also remarkable is that the Celtics only had one turnover in the final quarter too.
The Celtics’s leader on defense was Robert Williams III of Shreveport, Louisiana. In 26 minutes, Williams led both teams in rebounds (10), blocks (four) and steals (three). According to ESPN, he became only the second Celtics player ever to record three blocks and three steals in a NBA Finals game. The first was Kevin McHale of Hibbing, Minnesota who had three steals and three blocks in a 106-103 Boston win over the Houston Rockets on June 3, 1986 in game four of the 1986 NBA Finals.
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Marcus Smart also showcased why he was the NBA Defensive Player of the Year. According to ESPN, when Smart contested a Warriors shot, Golden State was 0 for 9.
Smart was also part of the Celtics Big Three, which had a significant impact. Smart had 24 points, seven rebounds and five assists. Jaylen Brown had 27 points, nine rebounds and five assists. Jayson Tatum had 26 points, nine assists and six rebounds. Brown meanwhile had a magical start to the game. Of the Celtics’s 33 first quarter points, he scored 17. Al Horford also had 11 points, and Grant Williams had 10 points off the bench. Game four of the NBA Finals goes Friday.
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