What is your initial reaction to tonight's result?
Looking at tonight's Box Score, one thing stands out. Thabo Sefolosha. 19 Points on 7-9 Shooting? 5 Rebounds, 4 Steals? Yeah, Sefolosha was on fire offensively. Sure, he wasn't taking down double teams like Kevin Durant or shooting difficult jumpers in the face of defenders. BUT, he was knocking down the shots he needed to, getting to the spots he needed to, draping all over Pierce defensively, and doing it all in the most critical of times.
What was tonight's turning point?
After a deep Pietrus two, the Celtics were down by three with two minutes to go. Then, Westbrook passed it to Sefolosha for an open corner three. Rondo responded with a two, but Westbrook hit right back with a really difficult-looking three in his face. At the point, the Celtics just didn't have the time to stage a comeback.
What was, overall, the main reason the Thunder lost/won?
Luck from three point range, and some really atrocious shooting from the Celtics. I know that is seems a bit grim, especially with the Thunder on a 7 game winning streak. But we're not going to beat the Trail Blazers or the Mavericks by firing tough threes all game. Plain and simple.
What's the key statistic to understanding tonight's game?
The score at the end of the first quarter: 25-17. The Celtics have lost the first quarter in each of their losses except for one. The Celtics can't come out so sluggishly every night against good competition and expect to win.
What does this game mean for the Thunder today and moving forward?
It keeps us at the top of the West, and solidifies us as the cream of the crop of the Western Conference. It also solidifies our TD Garden domination, as we've won there three straight times. It also proves that the Thunder can shoot well from three.
Thunder Wonder: Thabo Sefolosha, 19 Points, 7-9 Shooting, 5 Rebounds, 4 Steals
Thunder Down Under: Russell Westbrook, 26 Points, 7 Rebounds, 4 Assists, 3 Steals
Thunder Blunder: James Harden, for missing four threes at some critical junctures.
Thunder Plunderer: Mickael Pietrus, 14 Points and Much in the Clutch
Next Game: At the Washington Wizards, Wednesday, January 18th, 6 PM Central Standard Time
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