In a game that was tied with a couple of minutes left in the 4th quarter, the Celtics lost the magic which gave away the game to Oklahoma City Thunder for a 97-88 loss. This marks the Celtics’ 5th consecutive loss and is also the first time that the team has lost 5 straight games since the Big 3 came together. This loss ties the C’s with the Milwaukee Bucks for the 9th spot in the Eastern Conference rankings.
What should be blamed in this loss: Offense or Defense? Offensively, Celtics started the game looking like an elite team as they handled the ball good and gained the lead. This lead started from the first point of the game and lasted for only a few minutes while the score was 8-7. Soon thereafter, the lead disappeared as the Thunder scored on steals, 2nd chance points, and open shots. The game was tied again just before the halftime but the Thunder quickly gained the lead again.
As the third quarter began, Paul Pierce seemed motivated enough to score 13 points in the next 5 minutes. As Pierce tried to bring the team back from the deficit, Rajon Rondo, Mickael Pietrus, and Kevin Garnett all helped to tie the game once again in the 4th quarter. This time, the game didn’t slip away from the Celtics as it had previously. The two teams battled to take the lead but with the help of Kevin Durant and Russel Westbrook, the Thunder finished the game with the 9 point lead.
Near the end of the game, it wasn’t the Thunder’s offense, as one would expect it, that superseded the Celtics’ defense. Instead, it was bad defense that allowed the Thunder to win. In one play, Durant took an open jump shot near the free throw line. Soon, Westbrook scored an uncontested three pointer which sealed the game.
Similar to the previous games, the Celtics struggled on the offensive side of the game. They made a run at taking the lead and came as close as tying it. Unfortunately, that was where they slowed down.
Similarly, the defense looked decent with better rebounding compared to other games played earlier in the year. The lack of defense on open shots gave away the game for the Celtics. The shot that sealed the lead for the Thunder was not contested as it was supposed to be.
If this type of defense continues, then the Celtics may not be able to complete their 18th Championship aspirations this year. Let’s hope that the Celtics do their magic and win the championship in 2012.