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| AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki |
Kevin Durant led the way out of the gate for the Thunder. After a recent below-average shooting slump, Durant managed to score ten points on 3-5 shooting in the first quarter. Oklahoma City's defense was right on par in the quarter, forcing nine Boston turn overs and converting ten easy points off of them. Despite the terrific defensive effort, the Celtics still managed to shoot 50% in the quarter, and out rebound the Thunder 13-9.
Leading by as many as seven, the Thunder gave up a 6-0 run to the Celtics to close the first quarter - turning the ball over off bad passes (Nick Collison had two) and allowing Boston to run and convert in the break, as they scored seven fast break points in the quarter.
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| AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki |
The Thunder started the second quarter with a 10-0 run to extend their lead to as much as eleven. Taking care of the ball well, Oklahoma City turned the ball over just twice in the second quarter, one coming in the closing seconds of the quarter. Boston shot 52%, taking high percentage shots and penetrating the lane well, scoring twelve points in the paint on the Thunder.
Russell Westbrook was extremely quiet in the second quarter, unusually so. He took zero shots, none, but managed to get to the line once and convert two free throws. This was a particularly low scoring half for Oklahoma City. Though Westbrook was being guarded by a very good defensive guard in Avery Bradley, I expected him to be more aggressive than.. taking zero shots. He needs to be aggressive in order for Oklahoma City's offense to be the elite and potent one it has become.
Oklahoma City struggled offensively in the third quarter. They turned the ball over seven times and shot jut 46% from the field. The Thunder were able to overcome there offensive woes on the defensive end though, holding the Celtics to just 33% shooting, and allowing just six points in the paint.
Russell Westbrook continued his lack of offensive production in the third. He took just two shots, making one - handling the ball seldom, perhaps because of Avery Bradley's defensive prowess. Kevin Durant continued to run the point in most trips up the floor for Oklahoma City. Though Kevin Durant had the ball in his hands more so than Russell, Durant was just 1-4 from the floor(0-2 3-pt) and dished out just one assist.
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| AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki |
The Thunder locked up defensively in the fourth quarter, holding Boston to just fourteen points and 18%(4-22) shooting. Oklahoma City's supreme defensive effort frustrated to Celtics immensely, forcing them to run a lot of clock of each possession, settling for contested, long range shots. A little bit of it was luck perhaps, as Boston lost a few friendly rolls on post up plays and lay ins, but not one shot went without being challenged or contested by the Thunder.
The bench were the ones coming up clutch in the fourth to help the Thunder extend their lead. Nick Collison, Reggie Jackson, and Kevin Martin combined for thirteen points in the quarter on 5-9 shooting. The Thunder's complete team effort also resulted in complete domination on the glass in the quarter, out rebounding the Celts 16-11 while holding them to just two points in the paint.
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