The Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder have been on the verge of constructing some disagreeable historical past. Lu Dort made it his mission to not let that occur.Dort scored 24 factors, Darius Bazley added 21 factors and 10 rebounds, and the Thunder snapped a 14-game skid with a 119-115 win over the Boston Celtics on Tuesday night time.Isaiah Roby and Ty Jerome every completed with 15 factors for the Thunder, who received their first sport since March 31 in opposition to Toronto.A fifteenth straight loss would have set a franchise report for Oklahoma Metropolis.“I noticed it immediately and I instructed Shai (Gilgeous-Alexander), ‘Shai, we’re successful immediately,’” Dort mentioned. “That was my mindset simply earlier than the sport — to do all the pieces to win. The truth that we did it as a crew was nice.”The Thunder’s current swoon coincides with a foot damage that sidelined main scorer Gilgeous-Alexander greater than a month in the past — they’ve received simply two video games since.Oklahoma Metropolis dedicated 27 turnovers in opposition to Boston however went 13 of 30 from 3-point vary and 28 of 36 from the free-throw line to beat again a late cost.“It was a personality take a look at,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault mentioned. “It was a possibility to point out who we’re by means of the adversity. I got here away impressed.”Jaylen Brown scored 39 factors for the Celtics, who’ve misplaced 4 of 5 as they struggle to keep up their place within the tight Japanese Convention playoff race. Payton Pritchard added a career-high 28 factors.The Celtics made the Thunder work within the closing minutes.Oklahoma Metropolis had its 11-point lead erased within the third quarter earlier than taking a 106-95 edge on a layup by Bazley with 2:25 left within the sport.It was 110-100 earlier than the Celtics reeled off seven straight factors. Boston utilized strain, however Bazley acquired within the lane for a dunk.Boston minimize it to 112-109 on a pair of free throws by Pritchard with 30.8 seconds remaining. The Celtics then fouled Theo Maledon, who hit two free throws.Brown was fouled on a layup try and hit each free throws. Oklahoma Metropolis then beat Boston’s full-court press and Roby dunked to shut it out.The Celtics performed with out All-Star ahead Jayson Tatum (left ankle impingement), level guard Kemba Walker (strained left indirect) and massive man Robert Williams (left knee soreness).Coach Brad Stevens mentioned he’s hopeful each Tatum and Williams will be capable to return Wednesday when Boston hosts Charlotte. Walker will miss that sport and perhaps extra — one more hiccup for a crew Stevens mentioned has little room for error with 10 video games left within the common season.“We have got to play with extra of a way of urgency,” Brown mentioned. “Tonight I really feel like we did not have the sense of urgency that we would have liked throughout the board. A crew that has some younger, proficient gamers got here able to play. And we acquired beat.”
The Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder have been on the verge of constructing some disagreeable historical past. Lu Dort made it his mission to not let that occur.
Dort scored 24 factors, Darius Bazley added 21 factors and 10 rebounds, and the Thunder snapped a 14-game skid with a 119-115 win over the Boston Celtics on Tuesday night time.
Commercial
Isaiah Roby and Ty Jerome every completed with 15 factors for the Thunder, who received their first sport since March 31 in opposition to Toronto.
A fifteenth straight loss would have set a franchise report for Oklahoma Metropolis.
“I noticed it immediately and I instructed Shai (Gilgeous-Alexander), ‘Shai, we’re successful immediately,’” Dort mentioned. “That was my mindset simply earlier than the sport — to do all the pieces to win. The truth that we did it as a crew was nice.”
The Thunder’s current swoon coincides with a foot damage that sidelined main scorer Gilgeous-Alexander greater than a month in the past — they’ve received simply two video games since.
Oklahoma Metropolis dedicated 27 turnovers in opposition to Boston however went 13 of 30 from 3-point vary and 28 of 36 from the free-throw line to beat again a late cost.
“It was a personality take a look at,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault mentioned. “It was a possibility to point out who we’re by means of the adversity. I got here away impressed.”
Jaylen Brown scored 39 factors for the Celtics, who’ve misplaced 4 of 5 as they struggle to keep up their place within the tight Japanese Convention playoff race. Payton Pritchard added a career-high 28 factors.
The Celtics made the Thunder work within the closing minutes.
Oklahoma Metropolis had its 11-point lead erased within the third quarter earlier than taking a 106-95 edge on a layup by Bazley with 2:25 left within the sport.
It was 110-100 earlier than the Celtics reeled off seven straight factors. Boston utilized strain, however Bazley acquired within the lane for a dunk.
Boston minimize it to 112-109 on a pair of free throws by Pritchard with 30.8 seconds remaining. The Celtics then fouled Theo Maledon, who hit two free throws.
Brown was fouled on a layup try and hit each free throws. Oklahoma Metropolis then beat Boston’s full-court press and Roby dunked to shut it out.
The Celtics performed with out All-Star ahead Jayson Tatum (left ankle impingement), level guard Kemba Walker (strained left indirect) and massive man Robert Williams (left knee soreness).
Coach Brad Stevens mentioned he’s hopeful each Tatum and Williams will be capable to return Wednesday when Boston hosts Charlotte. Walker will miss that sport and perhaps extra — one more hiccup for a crew Stevens mentioned has little room for error with 10 video games left within the common season.
“We have got to play with extra of a way of urgency,” Brown mentioned. “Tonight I really feel like we did not have the sense of urgency that we would have liked throughout the board. A crew that has some younger, proficient gamers got here able to play. And we acquired beat.”
