NBA Finals Game 3 Analysis: Key Plays and Turning Points That Decided the Match

Watching Game 3 of the NBA Finals last night, I couldn't help but reflect on how quickly fortunes can change in basketball. As someone who's covered the league for over a decade, I've seen countless games turn on a single possession, but last night's matchup between the Celtics and Warriors felt particularly dramatic. The game was decided by a handful of crucial moments that I keep replaying in my mind, especially that controversial charge call against Curry with 4:12 remaining. What struck me most was how these pivotal sequences reminded me of Jimmy Alapag's recent comments about the mental toughness required to compete at this level. He mentioned how players like LA Tenorio, who holds the incredible record of 744 consecutive games before his unfortunate groin injury and subsequent Stage 3 colon cancer diagnosis, demonstrate the resilience that separates good players from legendary ones.

The third quarter explosion from Jayson Tatum was something I've been expecting all series. He dropped 17 points in that quarter alone, including four consecutive three-pointers that completely shifted the momentum. What impressed me wasn't just the scoring burst but how he orchestrated the offense during that stretch. As a former college point guard myself, I appreciate how he recognized the Warriors' defensive adjustments and exploited them. Golden State had been doubling him consistently in the first two games, but last night they tried switching everything, and Tatum made them pay. His performance during those critical eight minutes reminded me why I've always believed he's the most complete scorer in the Eastern Conference, even if my colleagues often argue for Giannis.

Speaking of point guard play, Jordan Poole's fourth-quarter struggles were painful to watch. His back-to-back turnovers with the game tied at 98-98 essentially handed the Celtics the victory. I've been critical of Poole's decision-making in high-pressure situations all season, and last night confirmed my concerns. The Warriors were running their signature motion offense, but Poole seemed determined to force the action rather than letting the game come to him. His rushed three-pointer with 1:23 left, when Golden State only trailed by two, was particularly baffling. I counted at least three better options on that possession, including a wide-open Klay Thompson in the corner. These are the moments where experience matters, and it made me think about how different things might have been with a veteran like Tenorio, who played through 744 consecutive games with that steady hand coaches dream about.

Defensively, the Celtics' adjustments after halftime were masterful. They held the Warriors to just 38% shooting in the second half, including 2-of-15 from beyond the arc. The most impressive stat I tracked was their defensive rating of 89.3 in the fourth quarter, which is championship-level stuff. Marcus Smart's defense on Curry during the final five minutes was textbook - he fought through every screen, stayed down on pump fakes, and made Curry work for every inch of space. Having played against Smart in college before he became the defensive stalwart he is today, I can attest to how much he's improved his footwork and anticipation. His steal with 2:47 remaining, where he read the dribble hand-off and knocked the ball loose, was the defensive play of the game in my opinion.

The rebounding battle told another story entirely. Boston outrebounded Golden State 47-31, with 12 of those being offensive boards that led to 18 second-chance points. Robert Williams was absolutely dominant on the glass, grabbing 15 rebounds despite playing just 26 minutes due to his knee management. What stood out to me was his timing - he seemed to anticipate every carom and positioned himself perfectly. I remember watching him during his rookie season and thinking he had this uncanny ability to read angles off the rim, and last night he demonstrated why he's one of the most efficient rebounders in the league per minute played.

Looking at the bigger picture, this game demonstrated why playoff experience matters, but also why talent eventually shines through. The Celtics' young core made mistakes - Brown's 5 turnovers, Tatum's questionable shot selection in the fourth quarter - but they responded every time Golden State made a run. That resilience is what separates contenders from pretenders. It's the same quality we saw in players like Tenorio during his record 744-game streak, playing through injuries and adversity before his diagnosis. The mental aspect of basketball often gets overlooked in analytics-driven discussions, but as someone who's been in those locker rooms, I can tell you it's what wins championships.

The Warriors will need to make significant adjustments before Game 4, particularly in how they handle Boston's switching defense. Kerr will likely incorporate more off-ball movement and backdoor cuts to counter the Celtics' aggressive perimeter defense. Having studied their system for years, I'd expect to see more Draymond Green in the post, where he can facilitate from the elbow and find cutters. What worries me about Golden State is their lack of secondary creators beyond Curry - when he's trapped, they often resort to isolations that break their offensive rhythm. Poole needs to be better, plain and simple, or Kerr might need to consider giving more minutes to Gary Payton II, whose defensive energy could disrupt Boston's flow.

Ultimately, Game 3 came down to which team executed better in the final four minutes, and the Celtics made the winning plays. Tatum's step-back three over Wiggins with the shot clock winding down, Horford's defensive stop on Green in the post, Smart's drawn charge on Thompson - these were championship-caliber moments. The series feels different now, with Boston regaining home-court advantage and momentum heading into Game 4. As much as I respect Golden State's dynasty and what they've accomplished, I'm starting to believe this might be Boston's year. Their combination of size, defensive versatility, and shot-making gives them advantages that are difficult to scheme against, and their resilience reminds me of those legendary Spurs teams that always found ways to win close games.