The Boston Celtics had a great run in the third and defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder, 101-95 on Thursday night.
Game Recap
It was a disappointing night for the Oklahoma City Thunder after they weren't able to survive and keep the lead til the end of the game. OKC could not stop Boston's rally in the third and ended up gotten defeated despite a great start.
OKC looks very hungry for a win to start the season as they gets their shot going in early in the first quarter and puts an early edge against the Boston Celtics. Great defense, nice ball movement, pick en rolls and rebounding was dominated by the Thunder in the first half of the game. George has ice in his veins as he drops bombs after bombs with his smooth shooting from mid-range and from deep. Steven Adams was busy underneath the basket collecting the rebounds and showing his much improved post game against an elite defender Al Horford. He was also effective in the pick en roll with Westbrook as always.
Thunder dominated inside scoring and rebounding the Celtics hang on and fight. I was amaze by the way Tatum moves. I was like, "that's a Kobe Bryant move!". He has been developing his mid-range game and crossing over and pulling up a jump shot like Kobe. Tatum was very consistent and making it hard for the Thunder to get a huge lead.
Kyrie Irving also helps Tatum as he lights it up in the third to get them back in the game but George continues his sweet shooting and couldn't be stopped. Al Horford was the X-factor as he drained 3 consecutive three-pointers to cut the deficit to single digit. Late in the third, Rozier's and Morris' puts the Celtics up.
The game was close early in the fourth. OKC tries to pull away mid-way the final period with Alex Abrines' 2 consecutive threes but Uncle Drew did not let that happen as he continues to score until he ties the game again at 95 with under a minute left in the game. With 34 seconds left, Marcus Smart drives to the basket, kicks it out to Al Horford outside and then Horford hits Morris with an extra pass and Morris drills the game leading three pointer with 27 seconds left. Russ immediately took a three from the inbound pass by Steven Adams and missed it. Boston got the ball and was fouled intentionally. Horford secured the win with his free throws and the Boston Celtics survived. OKC falls to 0-4 and the Celtics are now 3-2.
Stats
Jayson Tatum finished the game with 24 points and 6 rebounds. Kyrie Irving had 15 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. Al Horford fills the stat sheet with his 19 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal and 1 block. Marcus Morris had a big night including his game winner as he recorded 21 points, 10 rebounds and 1 assist. Jaylen Brown only had 6 points and 3 rebounds while Gordon Hayward only posted 5 points and 7 rebounds.
For the Thunder, Paul George finished the game with 22 points and 8 rebounds while Russell Westbrook posted 13 points, 15 rebounds and 8 assists. Steven Adams added 12 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists while Dennis Schroeder had 10 points, 3 rebounds and 6 assists.
Thunder will face the Phoenix Suns next on Sunday night while the Celtics will visit Detroit on Saturday night.
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