Gold Blooded

Make no mistake: the Golden State Warriors were kind of on the ropes. Stunned by a dramatic fourth-quarter collapse in Game 1; their air of invincibility shredded by the underdog Boston Celtics in their first home loss of the Playoffs.

They had to come back. And they did. After an even first half; the Warriors blew it wide open with a trademark third quarter that saw their lead balloon to 23. The Celtics made it tough on themselves with some uncharacteristic sloppy turnovers ; which led to Warrior breakaways and fast-break points. Yes some of it was due to the Warriors' improved defense but overall; it was just strange poor play by the Celtics.

The Warriors also showed two of their key strengths: long-range shooting and off-the-ball movement; with Stephen Curry & Jordan Poole lighting it up from long range; in particular Poole with some late third-quarter heroics.

Overall; you had a sense this was a desperation game for the Warriors; and they played like they meant it. So much so that when the 4th quarter came round; the Celtics decided to play all their reserves in true garbage time. The series now shifts over to the TD Garden in Boston; with the destiny of this series still on a knife edge.