BOSTON — If you were to caricature the Golden State Warriors at their worst, their weakest, their most vulnerable, their most volatile, it might look something like this.
Like Stephen Curry, throwing the ball away three times in 82 seconds to lead off the fourth quarter.
Like Draymond Green, jawing at a referee for several minutes after fouling later in the period.
Like a team that easily gets bullied on the boards (a 47-31 margin) and in the paint (a 52-26 point margin) and on second-chance points (22-11).
Like a team that just might lack the strength, the athleticism and the firepower to keep pace with the Boston Celtics, who controlled the court for most of the night Wednesday, strutting to a 116-100 victory and a 2-1 lead in the NBA Finals.
The Celtics led for all but 49 seconds, and by as many as 18 points, leaving the Warriors in a perpetual state of desperation–much as they were throughout their Game 1 loss a week ago. But this one came with more concerning consequences, namely the health of Curry’s left foot–and, by implication, the Warriors’ chances of winning this series.