Westbrook still scored 27 points and carried a larger load with Kevin Durant out with a hamstring injury.
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“It was just one of them games”, Waiters said.
“He had a good game”. “Because it’s (Smart and Bradley) on (Westbrook), but then when he gets through the pick, then it’s whoever is the next line of defense on him”.
Smart, who played college ball at nearby Oklahoma State, also guarded Russell Westbrook effectively.
“That’s the type of guy that Russ is”, Smart said. “In certain situations when we’re catching the ball in certain areas of the floor, there’s times where we do a terrific job of it. But sometimes we don’t do such a great job and that’s something that as we’re trying to build and get better at those things, that they’ll see it more often”. “You put two guys like that going against each other and, obviously, we’re going to knock heads”. As a team, the Celtics out-rebounded the Thunder 47-34.
Boston guard Avery Bradley contributed well off the bench as the visiting reserves torched Oklahoma City in the fourth quarter, the Celtics (5-4) building an 11-point advantage and controlling the game midway through the period.
The Thunder never got closer than 12 points the rest of the way.
The Celtics stormed all the way back in the third quarter to tie the game at 72-72 as the visitors fed off a game-changing shift in momentum.
Atlanta enjoyed a 79-74 lead with 10:08 left in the game before Utah began its fourth-quarter spurt.
It’s the first time Boston has won in Oklahoma City since 2010. I felt like I was in a good groove before, but yeah, it’s a part of the game. “I’m working my tail off every day to get back, and my teammates have been holding it down”.
Oklahoma City made 6 of 25 3-pointers.
Westbrook had at least 10 assists in six straight games before Sunday’s loss. When asked if there was anything special about the way Smart played, Westbrook responded with a resounding “No”.
“No, I don’t think you understand”.
Also Read: National Basketball Association TRADE RUMORS: MARCUS SMART OR ISAIAH THOMAS – WHO WILL BE THE STARTER OF BOSTON CELTICS? He said he was impressed with Butler’s 144-71 win over The Citadel on Saturday night…. He would have hit double digits if he hadn’t missed three free throws. He went scoreless in 14:56…. Thomas finished with 20 points and eight assists. Realizing that he had Westbrook on the block in the third quarter, Smart shouted for the ball and easily spun into the lane for the layup. “We have to finish the quarters well, especially in the second half”.
Smart was the better player on this night, though.
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Everyone – including Westbrook – struggled as the Thunder had their winning streak snapped, and they’ll look to bounce back Monday night when they visit the Memphis Grizzlies.
