This Thunder is very, very serious. Not at best in the first period, Oklahoma City managed to overthrow defending champion Boston thanks to a display of toughness after returning from the locker room (105-92). This success with desire and guts is the 15th in a row for OKC, a franchise record improved again, and that of the Cavaliers at the start of the season equaled. Cavaliers who will be their next opponent in a new duel at the top.
The start of the match, however, was of a completely different style, offensive and intense as can be, full of movement and rhythm. The Thunder with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as the first detonator started with an 8/11 to score 21 points in just over five minutes of play. Jaylen Brown responded with eight points in two minutes and the Celtics really launched their match by attacking the circle , putting “SGA” and Jalen Williams in a tough spot with two quick fouls. The Celtics' plan is clear: score from afar (14 3-point shots attempted in the first quarter) or on “offered” points on shots (10/11) to lead 35-32 after 12 minutes.
Halftime as a tipping point for the Thunder
The offensive intensity does not drop one iota, despite the rotations. Boston takes advantage of its size by combining Kristaps Porzingis and Luke Kornet while resting Jayson Tatum. With Brown still in tune, the defending champion began the second quarter with a 7/7 shooting and escaped. The Thunder missed several open shots to reduce the gap (32% in the second quarter…), this is not the case for the Brown – Porzingis – Derrick White trio, author of 26 of the visitors' 30 points over the period. Even without shining behind the arc, the Celtics are in control and lead 65-55 at rest.
This one will change everything. The Thunder regained their fundamentals in defense, while taking advantage of Boston's numerous shooting failures, particularly from afar. Gilgeous-Alexander is true to himself, leading his team offensively. But the fiery and rather slick game of the first period radically transformed into a trench battle. Tatum notably ended up on the ground for a moment on a counter-attack contact with Jalen Williams. The symbol of Celtics being pushed around and only scoring 15 points at 5/22.
Lu Dort as the ultimate executioner
The Thunder's aggressiveness increases crescendo until it becomes stifling. Mark Daigneault's men chain counterattacks and interceptions and accelerate in transition as soon as the opportunity arises to get back on track. Boston no longer finds solutions on offense, and the Paycom Center explodes. After a 14-3 to equalize, the locals are in a trance and pass another 11-2. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is irresistible with a big 3-point shot in step-back, then an exclamation point to this run with a counter on Jayson Tatum on the counter-attack before sending Isaiah Hartenstein into the peaks for the alley-oop with the fault (94-85).
The Celtics completely fall into the Thunder's trap by impaling themselves in the defense so oppressive that the referees cannot whistle every contact. “SGA” and his team, however, have a slump when it comes to closing the deal, before Lu Dort enters the scene. The Canadian, who started the match with a 0/8, planted three 3-point arrows in the last 150 seconds! The turnaround is complete, the victory deserved.
WHAT TO REMEMBER
– Oklahoma City, diesel repeat offender. For the fourth match in a row, the Thunder were trailing at intermission on their home court. But as against the Wolves, Clippers and Knicks, he was able to completely turn the tide with a newfound defense as a starting point, and series as devastating as they were demoralizing for the opponent. Day and night between the first period with 65 points conceded, and the second with only 27 points left to the fourth attack in the league!
– The Celtics did not respond to the physical challenge. This is not the first time that Boston has been caught in trouble this season and has struggled to find a solution. Completely disrupted by OKC's defense, Joe Mazzulla's players got frustrated and let their shooting confidence soar in rare proportions: 9/46 from distance, and a catastrophic 20% shooting in the second period.
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
