Sunday’s thriller says more about the Thunder than it does about the Celtics

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

You understand it while you see it. Objective. Power. 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 exhibits when the whole lot 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 developed into an avalanche. The Thunder held Boston to 27 second-half factors, incomes a particularly spectacular 105-92 win over a Celtics workforce enjoying at full energy and hungry to claim its dominance. Boston fell fully 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 believe 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 capturing (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 in regards to the Thunder than it does in regards to the Celtics. Boston might be simply tremendous. It’s sport three of a grueling four-game street journey, they’ve already notched two stable 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 gradual movement. You knew what was occurring, however you couldn’t cease it. I think about the Celtics had an analogous expertise enjoying within the sport.

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

They knew what they have been purported 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 most likely take the Celtics in six. But it surely 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 capturing throughout. Sound acquainted? The explanation this matchup is so engaging is as a result of these groups mirror one another in some ways. You’ll be able to inform the Thunder entrance workplace of us and coach Mark Daigneault have New England roots. It’s a gritty, resilient, fearless workforce on the rise.

When the Thunder trailed at halftime, there was no panic by any means. I assume that’s what occurs while you win 15 straight. A workforce usually mirrors its finest participant, and that’s what’s unfolding right here. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is rarely in a rush. He performs with outstanding poise and doesn’t get flustered. His Thunder teammates see that and replicate it. On this explicit 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 chance to form of come on their residence flooring and get a W. Thought within the first half we executed nicely. Second half, simply not adequate.”

Whereas this was a troublesome setback for the Celtics brief time period, it’s not the top of the world large image. It is going to 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 an extended, very long time. Having stated 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 offer them extra confidence,” Porzingis stated. “So, it’s not good, however we can have one other alternative later within the season.”