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Boston Celtics: 3 keys to a Monday night win in OKC

By Austin DeCouta

Nov 20, 2021; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart (36) dives for a loose ball in front of Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) during the second half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 20, 2021; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart (36) dives for a loose ball in front of Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) during the second half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /
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Boston Celtics Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Boston Celtics Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /

Boston Celtics key to victory No. 1) Control the perimeter

This is a different key than might be expected. I was very in between whether to say “let the Thunder shoot” or “control the perimeter”, and here’s why: OKC is dead last in the NBA in field goal and 3-point percentage. However, they are 20th in the NBA in 3-point attempts made.

The Thunder are also seventh in the NBA in long-range attempts on the year.

So basically, they take the seventh most threes in the entire league but have made the 20th most, all while shooting the worst percentage from deep.

Saying that the C’s need to control the perimeter might be confusing seeing how poorly the Thunder shoot, but with the volume of shots they take from this range, a rare hot night from beyond the arc could spark a massive upset.

Last game against the Magic, Oklahoma City shot 13-for-48 (27%) from downtown. The league leader on the season in 3-point attempts per game is Minnesota at 41.7. The Thunder shot seven more threes than the season leader’s average, still managed to lose, and register just 85 points on the night.

OKC will probably continue to heave the rock on Monday night, so the shamrocks must stay ready on the perimeter.

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