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NBA Finals: Steph Curry, Jordan Poole ignite Warriors for Game 2 win over Celtics

SAN FRANCISCO — This time, the third-quarter Golden State Warriors stuck around and finished out the fourth.

Golden State superstar Stephen Curry hit supernova and Jordan Poole found his rhythm as the Warriors took a 107-88 win over the Boston Celtics in Game 2 of the NBA Finals on Sunday at Chase Center.

Poole capped a 19-2 run over the final 4:32 of the third quarter with a buzzer-beating heave near midcourt to give the Warriors a 23-point lead heading into the fourth quarter.

Poole was only 1-of-5 with a 3-pointer at halftime with the Warriors holding a slim two-point lead. He finished with 17 points and five triples.

Curry took advantage of the Celtics’ drop coverage against him and scored 29 points, including 5-of-12 3-pointers. The Warriors starters got extended rest in the fourth quarter before the series shifts to Boston on Wednesday.

Klay Thompson struggled from the field again, going just 4-of-19 for 11 points. Draymond Green had nine points, seven assists and five rebounds, while Kevon Looney was 6-of-6 for 12 points.

The Celtics came out with a punch, as Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown led a two-pronged attack in the first half. Tatum, who was held to 12 points in Game 1, scored 21 in the first half Sunday. The last Celtics player to score more than 20 points in a half was Ray Allen in 2010.

Tatum finished with 28 points and was 6-of-9 from 3-point range to go with six rebounds and three assists. Brown had 17 points, six rebounds and three assists.

Turnovers hurt the Celtics throughout the game as they committed 18. Players outside of Tatum and Brown also struggled after a standout Game 1. Marcus Smart, Al Horford and Robert Williams each scored two points. Derrick White had 12 off the bench.

Both teams shot 40.5% from beyond the arc, but the Celtics’ 2-point shooting hurt them (34.9%).

Golden State Warriors guard Jordan Poole, left, celebrates with guard Stephen Curry, middle, and forward Andrew Wiggins after scoring against the Boston Celtics during Game 2 of the 2022 NBA Finals in San Francisco on June 5, 2022. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
Golden State Warriors guard Jordan Poole, left, celebrates with guard Stephen Curry, middle, and forward Andrew Wiggins after scoring against the Boston Celtics during Game 2 of the 2022 NBA Finals in San Francisco on June 5, 2022. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)

NBA Finals schedule

Game 1: Celtics 120, Warriors 108

Game 2: Warriors 107, Celtics 88 (Series tied 1-1)

Game 3: Warriors at Celtics, Wednesday, 9 p.m. ET (ABC)

Game 4: Warriors at Celtics, Friday, 9 p.m. ET (ABC)

Game 5: Celtics at Warriors, Monday, June 13, 9 p.m. ET (ABC)

Game 6: Warriors at Celtics, Thursday, June 16, 9 p.m. ET (ABC)*

Game 7: Celtics at Warriors, Sunday, June 19, 8 p.m. ET (ABC)*

* — if necessary