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Thunder/Celtics Preview and Game Thread

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Erik Gee|
Thunder/Celtics Preview and Game Thread
Thunder/Celtics Preview and Game Thread

The selfless, gritty, gutty Oklahoma City Thunder host the Boston Celtics today at the Peake; the Thunder are boasting a 26-9 record since Thanksgiving good for second best in the NBA during that time. Vegas insider has the Thunder as a one-point favorite.

On the injury front, everybody is good to go for Oklahoma City. For Boston, Kemba Walker and Gordon Hayward are both probable. Daniel Theis is out with a right ankle sprain, and there will be no Tacko Fall today because he is on assignment with the Maine Red Claws.

Both Isaiah Roby and Deonte Burton have been recalled from the Blue and will be available at Billy Donovan's disposal. How much they or any other player will be used is the big question. Donovan has gone with a nine-man rotation, for the most part, this season. He also knows you can't play 11 or 12 guys because it will disrupt everything else you're doing. 

 Considering the Thunder have the tenth best scoring bench in the association (39.6 points per game) and are holding opponents reserves to 32.1 points per game (first in the NBA) you could argue this is the most depth that Donovan has had since he has been the Thunder's head coach.  

I asked him if this was the case.  "I don't know I think the one thing that's been  really encouraging our younger guys have been given an opportunity, and they played well." ..."Things change over  82 games, things happen, to me, it's just about our team."..."It's about everybody understanding they're important, everybody understanding they gotta stay ready, and everybody being engaged, because you never know when you're going to be called upon." 

In a season where the fans and the organization didn't know what to expect, you have a group of guys that least publicly aren't complaining about their minutes. As long as the Thunder continues to buy into the team-first concept, this will be one heck of a season. 

 Tipoff is set for 2:30 on NBATV and Fox Sports Oklahoma. Just click the comment box and add to the conversation during the game. 

First Quarter:

When did the Celtic green army invade Oklahoma City? 

Thunder breaking out the City Jerseys this afternoon! It might sound dumb, but I want to believe that they play with a bit of extra emotion when wearing these uniforms.

As of now, Lou Dort is still on a two-way contract, but the more Billy Donovan talks about him, it just feels like it’s a matter of time before is a full-time NBA player. 

This crowd is pumped! Most energy I have seen in this building since the KD/Russ days. 

Adams already having issues on the offensive end with Daniel Theis. Theis was listed as out for today’s game at 12:30 central. 

Danilo Gallinari with six of the Thunder’s eight points. Thunder having a hard time with the Celtics ball movement.  

If the first five minutes is any indication we’re in for a fast-paced, high scoring game. 16-12 Thunder with 6:58 left. 

It can’t be said enough how well Lou Dort fights through screens. Thunder takes a timeout. 

Ferguson’s minutes have increased with each game; Billy Donovan says he is confident that Terrance will be ready when called upon today. 

Marcus Smart in for Boston, Noel in for Oklahoma City. Noel with a quick two off the bench. Thunder up 18-15. 

Dennis Schroder makes his first appearance. 

The veteran move by Noel, drawing the foul on Theis. Enes Kanter comes in with big applause from the Thunder fans. 

Nice scoop by Gilegeous-Alexander to draw the foul. Thunder lead 22-18. Ferguson also in for Oklahoma City. Dort and Paul on the bench. 

Hayward with a corner three cutting the lead to one. 

Loud city doing its best to drown out the large group of Celtics fans that have made their presence known at the Peake. 

Noel gets called for his first foul. Boston, just one Thunder foul away from being in the bonus. 

Bazley, Ferguson, Noel, Schroder, and Nader are the Thunder five. A full complement of bench players. 

More Prince at the timeouts!

Celtics lead 28-22 after Kanter connects on two free-throws. Schroder with the three cuts it to a 28-25 game. 

Paul using his rip move to get Marcus Smart for a two-shot foul. Thunder back on top 32-28. And for the first time in two games, we see Hamidou Diallo. 

End of one Thunder 32 Celtics 28. Oklahoma City 50 percent from the field and 44 percent from three. Thunder bench 13 points Celtics bench 7. Thunder with five offensive rebounds and an over 12-11 advantage on the boards. 

Second Quarter:

Thunder with five offensive rebounds and seven on the defensive end. Billy Donovan was not happy with the Oklahoma City rebounded vs. Detroit. It looks like his message was received. 

Diallo draws the assignment of guarding Jaylon Brown. After an Adams foul, Noel is back in. Schroder with two to put the Thunder up 36-35. 

Timeout Thunder! Celtics on the run and up 40-36 

Gilgeous-Alexander with nine points. Thunder with a 44-40 lead. Theis with 5 points and four rebounds. Dort just picked up his third foul. 47-42 Oklahoma City. Ferguson and Adams back in. Dort and Noel out. 

Thunder with their largest lead of the game at 51-42.

Thunder Lead at half 61-52 Gallinari 14, Gilgeous-Alexander 13 and Schroder 12. Thunder shooting 38 percent from three, and 46.9 percent from the field. 

Third quarter:

Third quarter begins with Danilo Gallinari shooting a free-throw after a Marcus Smart technical foul. Thunder 62 Celtics 52

62-59 Thunder. Timeout Oklahoma City. 

Dort now with four fouls. Schroder comes in for Dort. Walker hits his free-throws and the Thunder lead is two. Gallinari puts OKC back up by five after a corner three. 

After blowing by Adams for an easy layup. Tatum connects on a corner three. The Celtic lead is short-lived. Gallinari with another three. Puts OKC up 71-70. 

73-73. Brown called for a foul. 76-75 Oklahoma City. There have been 15 lead changes and six ties. 

Tough turnover for Oklahoma City down one. Ferguson now with four fouls. He’ll stay in, Steven Adams comes in. Brown extends Boston/s lead to 82-78. Schroder with 14 points. 

Despite having four fouls Ferguson is still hustling on defense. Did a great job of staying in front of Brown on that last possession. Surprised there is isn’t a challenge from Donovan on the Schroder foul. It clearly looked liked Smart put an elbow into his face.  Of course I’m in “Cloud City” so I could be wrong. Thunder trail by two 84-82. 1:14 left. 

We go to the fourth tied at 84.  Buckle the heck up for the last 12 minutes. 

Fourth Quarter:

I swear I just saw Chris Paul screen Enes Kanter. Schroder with a big And one! 

Marcus Smart’s three combined with Jaylon Brown’s layup off of a fast-break has the Celtics up five. 

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Erik Gee
ERIK GEE

With more than 20 years of experience hosting local and national radio shows, Erik Gee is a fixture of Oklahoma sports media. He has covered the Oklahoma City Thunder for the past six seasons. He is also the co-host of the Pat Jones show on 97.1 The Sports Animal in Tulsa. 

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