Draymond, Defense Spark Warriors’ Fireworks Display

The Warriors’ third-quarter pyrotechnics from downtown — including Jordan Poole’s halfcourt buzzer-beater — electrified Chase Center during Sunday’s Game 2 blowout of the Celtics, but it was their defense that evened the NBA Finals at a game apiece.

Golden State held Boston to just 88 points in Game 2, its lowest point total since Dec. 29, a defensive masterclass that allowed Poole and Steph Curry to hit five threes each — sometimes from way downtown.

Led by anchor Draymond Green — who was relatively quiet in Game 1 — the Warriors defensive forced an avalanche of Boston mistakes to set up their long-bomb barrage.

• The Celtics had 15 live-ball turnovers — their third-most this entire campaign — and 19 overall.
• The Warriors scored 22 points on the ensuing possessions — with 33 overall off TOs.
• The Dubs recorded an 89.7 defensive rating for the evening — their best this postseason.

Green might not have lit up the stat sheet, but there’s a reason he has the fourth-highest cap hit on the team behind Golden State’s sharpshooters. He has a year remaining on his four-year, $100 million deal — a player option for $27.6 million.

The 32-year-old remains a lynchpin for Golden State, and not just on defense: He’s a key facilitator for the Warrior’s fast-paced offense — and as he proved in Game 2, he’s always willing to bait opponents and officials.

Green got away with three moving screens on one play, then managed to avoid an ejection after what could have been a second technical.