Game Grades: OKC Thunder continue to prove they belong in win over Celtics
By Ivan White
The Oklahoma City Thunder may be the best team in the NBA.
The Thunder earned that statement with a 127-123 win over the Boston Celtics on Tuesday. Not only did the Thunder win, but they did so in a way that shows the all-around maturation of the team.
The OKC Thunder held off the Celtics to get another quality win.
The Thunder needed late free throws to seal the game in the final moments, but they had built up a big lead just a few minutes earlier. The Thunder’s lead reached as high as 18 before the Celtics made a roaring comeback.
Still, Oklahoma City executed enough down the stretch to pick up a win against one of the NBA’s elite. In building the big lead, Oklahoma City overpowered Boston and got out in transition.
Another helpful piece was the Thunder’s hot 3-point shooting. At 18-of-40 from beyond the arc, the Thunder took advantage of a sometimes lazy Celtics’ defense.
The Thunder also shared the ball effectively, finishing just an assist shy of their season-high with 34. Four players finished with at least five assists.
This was the first half of a back-to-back for the Thunder, with a game in Atlanta against the Hawks coming on Wednesday.