Part 3/5:
Moreover, the Thunder’s bench stepped up impressively, outperforming the Celtics' reserves, which is particularly notable given the absence of key players like Alex Cuso and Jaylen Williams. The depth that Oklahoma City showcased provided a formidable counter to Boston’s efforts.
Celtics’ Struggles and Future Outlook
While Jason Tatum had an excellent outing, scoring 33 points, the Celtics fell short primarily due to their poor three-point shooting performance. When Boston's outside shots don't fall, their margin for error significantly diminishes, opening the door for their opponents to capitalize.