Oklahoma offers a 15th consecutive success, Stephen Curry's Golden State Warriors swept at home, the Los Angeles Lakers beaten… the results of the night.
The Oklahoma City Thunder scored a 15th consecutive success by dominating champion Boston (105-92) on Sunday at home, confirming its position as a contender for the NBA title. This shock could be the poster child for the next final, while the Thunder largely dominates the Western conference (30 wins – 5 losses) and Boston remains sure of its strength in the East (2nd behind Cleveland, 26 wins – 10 losses). ).
Despite a rarely absent three-point skill (9 out of 46 at 19.6%), the Celtics dominated the first period (65-55) thanks to Jaylen Brown (all 21 points were scored before the break ) and the size of its two interiors Kristaps Porzingis and Luke Kornet. Deprived of Chet Holmgren and Alex Caruso, the Thunder were fierce on defense after the break, limiting the Celtics to 27 points.
OKC was imperial during the 4th quarter (29-12) in the wake of Canadian Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (33 points, 11 rebounds, 6 assists). «SGA» made his audience roar with an authoritarian counter on Jayson Tatum (26 points, 10 rebounds), before sending a lobbed pass to Isaiah Hartenstein for a «poster dunk» spectacular over Derrick White.
Clumsy during three-quarters of the game, Luguentz Dort (14 points including 11 in the last quarter) finished the job in the final minutes with two long-range shots.
“In full learning”
“Each match is a challenge and a new opportunity to progress. We have immense respect for this team (Boston), so strong and difficult to beat, which they have already accomplished. This is a team that has been tested in battle, which has become exceptional.greeted Mark Daigneault, young coach of the Thunder, eliminated in the semi-final in the West in the spring. “We are still learning, while Boston is an accomplished team. They have been among the best for several years, they have had their ups and downs, they have been playing with their core for eight years.added the technician.
The Thunder have just won two matches against the top teams in the East (after the New York Knicks on Friday) before facing the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday, the best team of the season (31-4).
Other results
Darius Garland's Cavaliers (25 points) easily beat the Charlotte Hornets (115-105) for a 10th consecutive success.
In Houston, Jalen Green scored 33 points to fend off the Los Angeles Lakers (119-115) of LeBron James (21 points, 13 rebounds, 9 assists) and Anthony Davis (30 points, 13 rebounds).
Fred VanVleet (15 points) validated the victory for his team, 2nd in the West (23-12), with an interception in front of LeBron James seven seconds from time.
Stephen Curry's Golden State Warriors (26 points) suffered a heavy defeat at home against the Sacramento Kings (129-99).
