Draymond Green gives Golden State Warriors 'attitude adjustment' in dominant Game 2 win

SAN FRANCISCO — Eleven seconds into Game 2 of the NBA Finals, Draymond Green tied up Al Horford to force a jump ball before the Golden State Warriors forced a turnover.

Green was intent on sending a message, not to the Boston Celtics but one to his own team. Setting the tone by harassing Celtics ball handlers and talking plenty of trash, Green gave the Warriors the «attitude adjustment» they needed to even the series with their 107-88 Game 2 win on Sunday at Chase Center.

Stephen Curry scored 29 points, and Jordan Poole got loose for 17 points, as the two Warriors outscored the Celtics 20-14 by themselves in a game-changing third quarter to help Golden State go on a 41-14 run out of halftime.

«It was definitely an attitude adjustment,» Green said.

«They are who we thought they were. So we knew we had to keep our foot on the gas pedal and not let up, and we did that.»

One game after watching Boston make 9 of 12 3-pointers in the fourth quarter to steal Game 1, the Warriors held the Celtics to 37.5% shooting in Game 2. While Jayson Tatum hit 6 of 9 3s and scored 28 points on Sunday, Golden State contained Tatum's supporting cast.

Horford, Marcus Smart and Derrick White combined to shoot just 6-for-23 from the field in Game 2. In Game 1, that Boston trio alone buried 15-for-23 from 3-point range.

The Warriors tweaked some things by having Green defend Jaylen Brown and Klay Thompson start on Horford. Brown shot 5-for-17 and scored 17 points, but Horford was held to two points.

«Guys follow me on that side of the ball,» Green said of setting the tone defensively. «If I'm not sending a message, who is sending that message?»

Curry said Green actually began setting the tone for the Warriors minutes after their 120-108 loss in