Thompson, Durant lead Warriors to 104-88 win over Celtics

Boston Celtics forward Jaylen Brown (7) looks to pass against the defense of Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) in the first quarter of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Nov. 18, 2016, in Boston.

Horford then blocked Australian Aron Baynes’ jumper at the buzzer. He took a meeting with them in the Hamptons that lasted for over four hours, and many in the Celtics organization feel like he led them on too many times. Morris hit a pair of 3-pointers and dropped eight points in the frame, while the Pistons went on separate runs of 11-0 and 11-1 to open as much of a seven-point lead midway through the frame. But what can they do, other than try to stop Golden State from winning it all? Unfortunately for them, though, Kevin Durant opted to take his talents to the Bay Area. Thomas tossed in a pair of free throws with 30.5 seconds left for a three-point advantage.

Antetokounmpo finished with 30 points, while Parker had 28.

In an interview with CSNNE.com on Friday night, he said he felt great and envisioned a return to the floor very soon.

Kyrie Irving led the way with 25 points.

Dwyane Wade led Chicago with 28 points, hitting five 3-pointers. It doesn’t sound like a big concern for the Celtics, though Smart missed three games at the start of the season because of a left-ankle sprain. “Everybody knows it’s a long year”, Stevens said.

Rodney Hood led Utah with 25 points and Trey Lyles had 21. The 13-3 Warriors run put them up 17.

Friday night was the first time this season Thomas hasn’t scored more than 20 points.

The win comes after months of stories linking the Celtics and the Warriors; first with the Celtics voicing their displeasure with Kevin Durant’s decision to come to Golden State, and more recently with a bogus trade rumor involving Klay Thompson, Avery Bradley and Jae Crowder, circulated by Brian Scalabrine, someone with a noted proximity to Boston’s front office. It was a particularly positive sign to see Horford sitting on the bench with the team during the game, as he had previously been absent from the bench in order to control his concussion. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist added 10 points and 12 rebounds for Charlotte.

Goran Dragic scored 22 points, Hassan Whiteside added 18 and 18 rebounds and the Heat beat the Wizards 114-111 despite some rough moments on the defensive end.

Steph Curry, however, needed a late three-pointer and a basket to avoid a season-low total, finishing with 16 points.

Bradley Beal scored a season-high 34 points for Washington in his second game back from a hamstring injury. The boos were silly, but they weren’t that bad, and if they offer a prominent player a good contract and a chance to win a lot of games, he’s probably going to listen.

But none of Horford’s heroics would have been possible without Marcus Smart risking life and limb to simply keep the ball alive on Boston’s final possession.