OKC Thunder get 20th road win in a classic match vs. Celtics – grades
A+. . PG. Oklahoma City Thunder. CHRIS PAUL
If it’s possible Chris Paul was even better than his usual best today. He seemed to be willing the Thunder to victory. Even when the team was down 11 the “Raging Bull’ CP3 took to the court and there was this feeling of – just get it close prior to the fourth and he’ll take over.
By the half, he’d collected a full game’s worth of stats with 10 points, six assists, four rebounds, a steal, and a block!
By the end of the match, those numbers had ballooned to 28 points, seven assists, and six rebounds. And yet, it was his defense and game management that truly made the difference in this win.
PG. Oklahoma City Thunder. LU DORT. B+.
A bit of a tale of two halves. In the first Luguentz Dort looked like what he is — a rookie (on offense specifically). This Celtics team is disciplined and tough – – something Dort has shown himself to be through the early going. But, when you’re facing players who play as scrappy as you do and are missing a teammate who you’re used to it can affect the rhythm. Of all the players on the court, Dort seemed to miss SGA the most.
Chris Paul and Billy Donovan likely talked to him at the half as his play was more in line with his typical effort in the second half.
His defense whether on Walker or Tatum was exceptional and with Ferguson on the court at the same time, he displayed precisely why he’s overtaken Ferguson as the primary starter.
At times in the second half witnessing him give up five inches to Tatum and stop him spoke to how excited the fan base should be to have this youngster and who’ll only get better.