Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 33 factors and the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder cracked down defensively within the second half to beat the NBA champion Boston Celtics 105-92 on Sunday for a franchise file fifteenth straight victory.
For the fourth consecutive recreation, the Thunder, chief of the Western Convention, gained after being led by a minimum of a dozen factors.
Thunder ahead Luguentz Dort scored 11 of his 14 factors within the fourth quarter, making consecutive three-pointers to provide Oklahoma Metropolis a 100-88 lead with 1:59 to play.
Dort drained one other from past the arc to cap the scoring within the ultimate minute.
In a recreation thought-about a possible preview of the NBA Finals, the Thunder held the Celtics to only 27 factors within the second half, ending Boston’s three-game profitable streak.
“We’re right here to have enjoyable,” Dort mentioned. “Each time somebody does one thing good, we’re at all times there to encourage them. We have been constructing this chemistry for years, and we’re clicking proper now.”
This was the second of three straight video games in opposition to the highest three groups within the Japanese Convention for the Thunder.
On Friday, they rallied to finish the third-place Knicks’ nine-game profitable streak.
With the Celtics in second place, the 30-5 Thunder will stay up for dealing with the Japanese Convention-leading Cavaliers in Cleveland on Wednesday.
The Cavs hosted the Charlotte Hornets later Sunday seeking to enhance to 30-4.
Jayson Tatum scored 26 factors and grabbed 10 rebounds for the Celtics. Jaylen Brown scored 21 factors and Kristaps Porzingis added 19, however Boston made simply 9 of 46 three-point makes an attempt and, like a collection of groups earlier than them, collapsed within the face of Washington’s suffocating protection. Oklahoma Metropolis within the second half.
Brown, returning after lacking two video games with a shoulder damage, had 10 factors within the first half to assist the Celtics emerge from a good first quarter with a three-point lead.
Boston pushed the benefit to as many as 13 earlier than reaching halftime with a 10-point benefit.
Oklahoma Metropolis reduce that to 4 heading into the ultimate quarter and regained the lead for the primary time because the first quarter when Jalen Williams hit two free throws a couple of minutes into the fourth.
The Thunder would not comply with. Though the Celtics tied the sport twice, they’d no actual reply.
Tatum’s 9 factors had been the one factors by a Celtics starter within the ultimate body and Brown was held scoreless on 0-of-7 capturing within the second half.
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