Comeback victory and a real Boston Celtics statement (7-2). At the Oklahoma City Thunder (4-4) the Brad Stevens team were trailing for a long time, but Al Horford and Kyrie Irving turned up in time in the fourth quarter. Boston won with 101:94.
The Thunder dominated the first half with their suffocating defense and led with up to 18 points. However, this changed after the switch and OKC was suddenly unable to score points against Celtics, while Boston found other solutions and was in full play at the end of the third quarter.
Six minutes to go, the game was finally equalised (79:79) thanks to a Semi Ojeleye trio. Boston now seemed to have the momentum thanks to Kyrie Irving, but OKC could not be shaken off by Russell Westbrook and Andre Roberson’s threesomes. However, Boston not only had Irving, but also Al Horford, who repeatedly silenced the hall with his jumpers. Irving put the lid on with a 99:94 drive 14 seconds before the end.
The NBA live at SPOX! All games in the LIVESTREAM calendar!
After a weak first half (3 points, 1/10 FG) with 25 points (10/22 FG, 3/7 threesome) Uncle Drew was the top scorer of Celtics after a weak first half and always assisted in the final phase with the important three of Horford (20 points, 8/10 FG, 8 rebounds). Jayson Tatum scored all of his 13 points in the first half, while Jaylen Brown (10 points, 12 rebounds) scored a double-double. Daniel Theis played only 7 minutes this time and grabbed a rebound.
Paul George (25 points, 9/20 FG, 10 rebounds) led the Thunder in Scoring. Russell Westbrook scored 19 points (7/20 FG), 6 Rebounds, 11 Asissts, but also 6 Turnover. Carmelo Anthony, on the other hand, was disappointing with only 10 points and 14 rebounds.
Thunder vs. Celtics: Click here for the BOXSCORE!
Al Horford. Mister Reliable Celtics. Thawed like Irving only after the change. In the fourth quarter, however, he was fully there. 13 of his 20 points came in the fourth quarter. In the last three minutes he hit three important jumpers (two threesomes), including a shotclock. From outside in his 34 minutes without a miss (4/4 threesome).
Carmelo Anthony. It wasn’t Melo’s. A lot of things reminded me of old Knicks times when Anthony took one midrange jumper after another (3/17 FG, 0/5 threesome). After the break, Melo only scored for a putback. At least his rebounding was strong that evening.
Marcus Morris (9 points, 4 rebounds) made his debut for the Celtics, initially only came from the bank. Celtics coach Brad Stevens initially relied on his big line-up with Horford and Aron Baynes. After the half time, however, Stevens made an adjustment and started with Morris instead of the Australian. Morris now cared about Anthony, which he didn’t like at all. Celtics were also much more variable and fluid in attack. Now there were five players on the field, all of whom were a danger from outside and thus created space for Irving.