Thunder (53-12) at Celtics (47-18) Game #66 3/12/25

[Atzar]

Doesn't look like either of these teams can really stop the other.  OKC has a just-let-them-shoot strategy that has allowed us to hit 41% of our threes.  On the other hand, we can't keep them out of the paint and we're so unaccustomed to boxing out that we don't appear to even understand the rules. 

You CANNOT box out face-to-face.  I don't care if guys are flopping, they'll call it every time because boxing out face-to-face is against the rules.  Tatum got T'ed up for whining about a legitimate foul. 

[celticinorlando]

Not winning this game if they continue to shoot 3s and pass up layups.

Not winning if JB continues to be a no show.

[jpotter33]

This would be a really frustrating series to watch. I knew this team flopped a ton, but the amount of flopping they've done tonight is just sickening.

Particularly SGA. That's unbecoming conduct from a potential MVP, particularly for a practice that the league has "supposedly" tried to crack down on.

[celticinorlando]

Refs have allowed OKC mug Boston. They are just pushing the Cs all over the court allowing them to get rebounds.

[liam]

Doesn't look like either of these teams can really stop the other.  OKC has a just-let-them-shoot strategy that has allowed us to hit 41% of our threes.  On the other hand, we can't keep them out of the paint and we're so unaccustomed to boxing out that we don't appear to even understand the rules. 

You CANNOT box out face-to-face.  I don't care if guys are flopping, they'll call it every time because boxing out face-to-face is against the rules.  Tatum got T'ed up for whining about a legitimate foul.

You don't care if guys are getting away with flopping? That's soccer!!!

[liam]

This would be a really frustrating series to watch. I knew this team flopped a ton, but the amount of flopping they've done tonight is just sickening.

Particularly SGA. That's unbecoming conduct from a potential MVP, particularly for a practice that the league has "supposedly" tried to crack down on.

Scal thinks that's a skill. I guess flopping is what makes an MVP!

[angryguy77]

This would be a really frustrating series to watch. I knew this team flopped a ton, but the amount of flopping they've done tonight is just sickening.

Particularly SGA. That's unbecoming conduct from a potential MVP, particularly for a practice that the league has "supposedly" tried to crack down on.

He makes butler look legit.

[Phantom255x]

Maybe @Who or someone smarter than me here can attest to this, but something I've noticed is, it seems certain teams like OKC and MEM have played us this season where they purposely leave guys open, or dare us to take 3s because they feel they can't defend the Jays and our guards that well inside. Particularly, Horford and Jrue. It seems a safe bet if you leave one or both open and just let them shoot, there's a chance they won't make many and they are also on the older side.

MEM did this with success earlier in the year in a game they beat us and Jrue was like 4-17 from 3. OKC did a little of that in the first matchup, and they seem to be trying it again today although Horford has actually torched them. White has also gone nuclear. Jrue is 1-5 so far. You know they'll keep leaving Jrue open, you just have to pray he can make some in the 2nd half

[celticinorlando]

Boston needs to go to the rim. JB needs to realize there is a game tonight.

[jpotter33]

OKC seems really fast to every ball and it seems every player on their team is. I do wonder if they will have another level come playoff time but they are great no doubt. Historically good regular season and they are without Jalen Williams and Caruso.

This is my read on them, as well. Very akin to the old IT Celtics teams. We were a great regular season team, but that was mostly because we played hard and intense every single game.

I see this OKC team doing the exact same thing. They play very, very hard every single night, but I'm not sure that they can really take it up a level from where they are. And we'll see if this unsustainable shooting from them - ahem, Dort - continues through the pressured playoffs, too.

[Atzar]

Doesn't look like either of these teams can really stop the other.  OKC has a just-let-them-shoot strategy that has allowed us to hit 41% of our threes.  On the other hand, we can't keep them out of the paint and we're so unaccustomed to boxing out that we don't appear to even understand the rules. 

You CANNOT box out face-to-face.  I don't care if guys are flopping, they'll call it every time because boxing out face-to-face is against the rules.  Tatum got T'ed up for whining about a legitimate foul.

You don't care if guys are getting away with flopping? That's soccer!!!

Context.  I'm talking about boxing out specifically.  JB fouled SGA despite the acting job because he was boxing out face-to-face.  You can't do that. 

I already acknowledged that OKC flops a lot. 

[liam]

Boston needs to go to the rim. JB needs to realize there is a game tonight.

When we drive we get mugged with no calls!

[Phantom255x]

OKC seems really fast to every ball and it seems every player on their team is. I do wonder if they will have another level come playoff time but they are great no doubt. Historically good regular season and they are without Jalen Williams and Caruso.

This is my read on them, as well. Very akin to the old IT Celtics teams. We were a great regular season team, but that was mostly because we played hard and intense every single game.

I see this OKC team doing the exact same thing. They play very, very hard every single night, but I'm not sure that they can really take it up a level from where they are. And we'll see if this unsustainable shooting from them - ahem, Dort - continues through the pressured playoffs, too.

Idk, we keep saying this stuff and yet CLE/OKC play us hard and both teams are still on pace for like 68-70 wins. I hope I'm wrong but it does feel like an OKC-CLE Finals this year

Those mid-2010s Hawks never won 66+ either

[jpotter33]

This would be a really frustrating series to watch. I knew this team flopped a ton, but the amount of flopping they've done tonight is just sickening.

Particularly SGA. That's unbecoming conduct from a potential MVP, particularly for a practice that the league has "supposedly" tried to crack down on.

He makes butler look legit.

Eh, Butler is a foul-baiter, but I don't consider him a "flopper" like this. He would regularly get guys in the air, but he would draw legitimate fouls on them.

This team - particularly SGA - is about half legitimate fouls and half embellished contact, flailing, and flops. That loose ball "foul" by JB on SGA was an egregious flop.

[SHAQATTACK]

Boston needs to go to the rim. JB needs to realize there is a game tonight.

When we drive we get mugged with no calls!

Yup, this encourages the threes