The Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder are extremely good. Heading into tonight’s matchup, they had been nonetheless in search of their assertion sport – the one which makes individuals say, “they’ve arrived.”
Don’t get me fallacious. They’ve had just a few nice wins in opposition to the Minnesota Timberwolves and Denver Nuggets over the previous couple of weeks. A win in opposition to the traditionally nice Celtics on the peak of their powers, although, could be a particular win.
They received it tonight, in a really thrilling sport of basketball between the 2 hottest groups within the league. The Thunder remained targeted by an unimaginable Celtics run and received a tricky win.
It was a messy one to begin. Boston had 3 turnovers within the first three minutes of the sport, and an alarming variety of free balls appeared to seek out the arms of Thunder gamers. Regardless of some stable play, together with two consecutive threes from Kristaps Porzingis, Oklahoma led 31-29 after one. Porzingis had 12 within the first, and completed the sport with 34 factors and 10 rebounds.
Derrick White left the sport with 5 left within the first due to a lower on his head, however returned halfway by the second. He had 19 factors, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists.
On the half, Boston led 61-58 regardless of giving up 17 factors to Gilgeous-Alexander, who completed with 36, 7, and seven.
Jaylen Brown was 1-8 from the sphere and 0-4 on the half, however he nonetheless turned in a greater efficiency than Vertigo Dice, the halftime duo that principally simply performed with hula hoops the entire break.
The third quarter opened with some dangerous Celtics capturing, and completed with some even worse Celtics capturing. They had been outscored 40-25 within the third, because of a ridiculous capturing show from Gilgeous-Alexander. Additionally they let Josh Giddey get approach too many straightforward appears, and the rating was 98-86 Thunder heading into the ultimate interval. Giddey completed with 23 factors, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists.
Two fast threes from Oklahoma Metropolis to open the fourth appeared like they might seal the deal. Then, some Derrick White heroics introduced the deficit again down to eight with 5 minutes left.
What adopted was among the most anxious basketball of the season. The Celtics surged, then gave up dangerous offensive boards, then received just a few steals to maintain it shut. There was a Payton Pritchard vs 7’1” Chet Holmgren bounce ball, that Pritchard type of gained. Holmgren hit a number of threes. Jaylen Brown principally airballed a free throw, Derrick White hit a CRAZY three to finish a 27-11 run for Boston. After which they misplaced.
Right here’s that White shot:
Boston didn’t actually have a bit of dangerous basketball. They moved the ball fairly nicely, and the shot choice was acceptable. They simply went chilly – from in all places – when the Thunder received scorching scorching.
Plus, Brown was dangerous. He had 15 factors on 4/18 capturing and 0/8 from three. Tatum ended with 30, 13, and eight, however couldn’t claw out the win for his group.
Celtics followers won’t bear in mind this one in just a few months. However for the Thunder, this was a giant, gritty win. This Thunder group is sweet, and I’m certain Boston can have extra battles with them within the close to future.
