Thunder Complete Sweep of Celtics and Secure Playoff Berth

In a highly anticipated matchup that could be a preview of the NBA Finals, the Thunder, who currently lead the Western Conference, held off a fierce Boston team that set a franchise record with 63 attempts from beyond the arc. Despite the Celtics' relentless 3-point shooting, the Thunder managed to sweep the defending NBA champions in their two-game season series and secure their 17th win in the last 18 games.

Jayson Tatum scored 33 for Boston, which had won five straight and 15 of its last 18 games. Al Horford added 18 points and 10 rebounds, and Derrick White scored 22.

Oklahoma City scored the first nine points of the game and led by 12 midway through the third before Boston tied it 88-all on Tatum’s three-point play to end the quarter. It was 98-98 in the fourth before the Thunder ran off eight straight points to pull away.

Takeaways

Thunder: After splitting a back-to-back against Denver, their closest competitor in the West, the Thunder controlled the game against the reigning champions and the likely No. 2 seed in the East.

Celtics: If the teams do meet for the championship, expect reigning NBA Finals MVP Jaylen Brown to play better than his 5-for-15 shooting night, missing all five 3-point attempts and scoring 10 points to match a season low before he fouled out.

Key moment

With the score tied at 98 and eight minutes to play, Kenrich Williams hit a 3-pointer, Gilgeous-Alexander made a pair of free throws and, after Williams hit a free throw, Gilgeous-Alexander made a 15-foot turnaround jumper to make it an eight-point game.

Key stat

Boston’s 36 3-point attempts in the first half were the most in any half in NBA history. They finished 20 for 63 — tying the third most attempts in league history.

Up next

The Celtics visit Miami on Friday and the Thunder are in Detroit on Saturday.