Celtics second half struggles results in Thunder comeback, Boston loses 105-92

After blowing out the Houston Rockets, the Celtics traveled to the Sooner state for a Sunday matinee matchup towards the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder. In what may very well be a possible NBA Finals matchup, Boston struggled as their hosts gained their fifteenth sport in a row and defeated the Celtics 105-92.

Jayson Tatum led the way in which for Boston with 26 factors and 10 rebounds, however it wasn’t sufficient to take down Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 33 factors, 11 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals, and a pair of blocks. The Celtics couldn’t hit something from past the arc as they shot 9-46 (19.6%), their worst perimeter efficiency of the season. Boston scored 65 factors within the first half and solely scored 27 within the second half because the Thunder protection shut down the Celtics offense.

Photograph by Zach Beeker/NBAE by way of Getty Photos

The sport began with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jaylen Brown buying and selling buckets as each groups set an aggressive tone on offense early. Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum had been the first defenders on SGA to start out and dedicated to denying him the ball as a lot as potential. SGA was nonetheless capable of get sizzling regardless of the Celtics greatest efforts, scoring 11 factors on 3-6 taking pictures within the first quarter, however Brown matched him with 10 factors of his personal.

Each groups acquired off to an electrical begin, however Boston had a 35-32 lead after the primary quarter of play. The Celtics had been aggressive when it got here to attending to the free throw line, going to the charity strip 11 occasions within the quarter. On the flip aspect, the Thunder shot 52% from the sector to maintain OKC in it.

With SGA on the bench, the second quarter began with the Celtics selecting aside the Thunder’s paint protection. Each possession it was Kristaps Porzingis or Jaylen Brown blowing by the Thunder on the perimeter for a shot on the rim.

OKC’s plan on protection appeared to not permit Boston to get sizzling from three and make them rating within the paint. This may work nice for Boston because the Celtics went on an 11-3 to open up a double-digit lead on the Thunder halfway via the second quarter.

The Celtics defensive plan seemed to be forcing one participant on the Thunder to beat them from three whether or not it’s Lu Dort or Kenrich Williams, and it appeared to work as Boston took a 65-55 into the half.

Jaylen Brown continued his dominant efficiency ending with 21 factors on 8-12 taking pictures on the half as no person on OKC may guard him. The Celtics completed with 4 gamers with double digits within the first half and shot 51% from the sector. Boston solely shot 27% from three within the first half however their 34 factors within the paint made up for it. The Celtics had been capable of out rebound the Thunder within the first half 27-19 which led to a ton of quick breaks and simple baskets.

Boston began the second half chilly on offense as SGA began to warmth up. He scored 7 fast factors to start the third quarter as he was capable of assault Jrue Vacation and Derrick White. The Celtics acquired fortunate that nobody else on the Thunder capitalized off of their sluggish begin as they shot 2-12 from the sector and 1-8 from three to start the quarter.

The Celtics had a tough time producing factors, however Jayson Tatum was capable of hold their lead intact together with a troublesome bucket on the rim after driving on SGA and a pleasant fadeaway jumper.

Exterior of Tatum’s contributions, the Celtics offense was anemic because the Thunder’s protection pressured Boston in powerful photographs. Even with a Porzingis buzzer beater, the Celtics lead was reduce to 4 because the Thunder clawed again to make it an 80-76 sport going into the fourth quarter. Boston shot an abysmal 5-22 from the sector and 1-13 from three within the third quarter, scoring solely 15 factors.

The Celtics continued to overlook threes because the Thunder took the lead for the primary time for the reason that first quarter. After lacking 16 straight threes, Al Horford lastly broke the streak however the Thunder’s swarming protection continued to be an issue for Boston. An enormous mistake the Celtics made was going away from Brown and Tatum as the first defender on SGA. Jrue Vacation continued to get hunted on protection and the Celtics didn’t make an adjustment.

The Thunder continued to go off towards the Celtics as Lu Dort would steal an offensive rebound from Derrick White for a straightforward dunk and SGA hit a giant three to make it a 7-point sport with six minutes to go. Extra turmoil for the Celtics after they pressured a cease, SGA blocked Tatum on a quick break and located Isaiah Hartenstein for an alley-oop poster dunk on Derrick White.

Jayson Tatum lastly scored for the Celtics however no calls on the rim and offensive fouls killed any likelihood at Boston gaining momentum. The sport was actually over after Lu Dort hit back-to-back threes to make it a 12-point Thunder lead with two minutes to go. The Celtics solely scored 12 factors within the fourth quarter, their lowest scoring quarter of the season.