Sunday’s thriller says extra concerning the Thunder than it does concerning the Celtics

When you watch the Celtics as a lot as I do, you already know that there are some nights the place they, fairly merely, “have it” and are an unstoppable basketball wagon.

You realize it whenever you see it. Function. Vitality. Conviction. Fluidity. Toughness. When these attributes are on show, they virtually by no means lose. Their ceiling is the very best within the NBA, and it reveals when every little thing is clicking.

Within the first half Sunday evening, the Celtics have been on a kind of prolonged heaters. They attacked the basket relentlessly, performed for each other and exceeded Oklahoma Metropolis’s physicality. It appeared like they have been about to make a serious assertion on the street.

Then, there was a shift. It began slowly, then immediately, it advanced into an avalanche. The Thunder held Boston to 27 second-half factors, incomes a particularly spectacular 105-92 win over a Celtics group taking part in at full power and hungry to claim its dominance. Boston fell utterly out of its aspect within the second half after dazzling within the first.

“They took benefit of our poor spacing and our poor screening,” Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla informed reporters. “I feel these are the 2 largest issues.”

Let these numbers sink in for a second. The Celtics scored 65 (!) factors within the first half, then 27 (!) within the second half — fifteen within the third and 12 within the fourth. Sure, the 3-point taking pictures (19.6 p.c for the sport) was putrid. Sure, the offense grew to become stagnant. Sure, the protection misplaced its edge.

All these issues are true, however to me, this sport says a heck of much more concerning the Thunder than it does concerning the Celtics. Boston will likely be simply wonderful. It’s sport three of a grueling four-game street journey, they’ve already notched two strong wins and so they, frankly, ran out of steam. These aren’t excuses; they’re simply info.

However what I did not see coming was simply how a lot the Thunder took the life out of the Celtics within the fourth quarter. It was a kind of video games the place you felt such as you have been watching it unfold in sluggish movement. You knew what was occurring, however you couldn’t cease it. I think about the Celtics had the same expertise taking part in within the sport.

“I’d say we didn’t play as much as our degree in any respect offensively within the second half,” Kristaps Porzingis informed reporters.

They knew what they have been alleged to do, however they couldn’t do it. That doesn’t imply OKC would essentially win if these groups meet within the NBA Finals. I’d nonetheless in all probability take the Celtics in six. Nevertheless it does present that it’s anybody’s sport in the event that they match up in June.

The Thunder have one of the best participant on the ground (sorry, Jayson), insane size, elite on-ball defenders and taking pictures throughout. Sound acquainted? The explanation this matchup is so engaging is as a result of these groups mirror one another in some ways. You possibly can inform the Thunder entrance workplace people and coach Mark Daigneault have New England roots. It’s a gritty, resilient, fearless group on the rise.

When the Thunder trailed at halftime, there was no panic in any way. I suppose that’s what occurs whenever you win 15 straight. A group usually mirrors its greatest participant, and that’s what’s unfolding right here. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander isn’t in a rush. He performs with exceptional poise and doesn’t get flustered. His Thunder teammates see that and replicate it. On this specific evening, the Celtics couldn’t seize the second, whereas Gilgeous-Alexander and Co. did.

“OKC is rolling proper now,” Jaylen Brown informed reporters. “We had a possibility to type of come on their house flooring and get a W. Thought within the first half we executed effectively. Second half, simply not ok.”

Whereas this was a tricky setback for the Celtics brief time period, it’s not the tip of the world large image. It would solely make them higher.

So, as you digest this one, I encourage you to tip your cap to Oklahoma Metropolis. The Thunder are legit, and so they’re going to be an issue for a protracted, very long time. Having mentioned that, the Celtics love a problem.

They’ve met their match, and subsequent time, I believe they’ll end the job when OKC makes its run. That’s what championship groups do.

“This type of win is simply going to provide them extra confidence,” Porzingis mentioned. “So, it’s not good, however we can have one other alternative later within the season.”