Hardwood Houdini
Fansided

Boston Celtics Channel Their Former Selves For Comeback Win vs Thunder, 101-95

By Denholm Harold

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - OCTOBER 25: Kyrie Irving #11 and Terry Rozier #12 of the Boston Celtics celebrate after the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on October 25, 2018 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - OCTOBER 25: Kyrie Irving #11 and Terry Rozier #12 of the Boston Celtics celebrate after the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on October 25, 2018 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 4
Next
Marcus Morris #13 of the Boston Celtics makes a three point basket to take the lead late in the 4th quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder on October 25, 2018 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
Marcus Morris #13 of the Boston Celtics makes a three point basket to take the lead late in the 4th quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder on October 25, 2018 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Jekyll & Hyde Celtics Offense:

Tatum led the way for the Green team with 22 points but had far from a perfect game. Tatum regularly missed open shooters, failed to make passes and stopped the ball opting for isolation over ball movement; much to the dismay of Celtics fans he also traded open threes for pull-up twos further frustrating the Celtics offense.

The Celtics offense looked disjointed in the first half when the team wasn’t rewarded for good off-ball movement and passing; they resorted to contested isolation shots which put them in a hole early. The Celtics offensive system showed flashes and generated some good clean looks, but no one could hit them, as the offensive well dried up, frustration showed on players’ faces, and fans were left wondering if the comeback was a bridge too far.

The C’s may have also stumbled onto an offensive well with Gordon Hayward post-ups. The All-Star swingman is one of four Celtics starters listed at 6-foot-7 or taller, and often matches up on smaller guards. Hayward drew several fouls from Thunder defenders throughout the night in the post, which eventually led to pre-emptive double teams to stop the bleeding.

The Celts offense jolted to life in the 3rd quarter, which featured nine three-pointers, good contributions from Irving, Morris and an Al Horford stretch for the ages. The Celtics All-Star big-man hit three consecutive 3-pointers in a 41-second span and quieted the raucous Oklahoma City crowd.

The Celtics received good contributions from their guards as their aggressiveness baited Russell Westbrook into foul trouble. The former MVP picked up his fourth foul with 7:57 to go in the 3rd quarter, as he was unable to stem the flood of offense that was long overdue for the C’s.

The final term featured yet another iteration of the Comeback King Celtics led by mercurial forward Marcus Morris; Morris hit a game-winner against the Thunder last season and repeated his heroics tonight, sealing the victory with a 3-pointer after a timeout, and some clutch free throws to put the game on ice.

Home/Celtics News