Celtics certainly not OK - Boston Herald

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OKLAHOMA CITY — There may not be another team that needs its All-Star break more.

The Celtics [team stats] don’t have another game for six days, which leaves them a long time to ponder last night’s 119-104 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Though the game marked their fifth straight loss, and seventh in the last eight games, the C’s might want to delve deeper into this one than just examining the result. After giving up such early indignities as 72 first-half points, which included a 28-2 Thunder run and 8-for-12 3-point shooting by Oklahoma City, the Celtics showed a flash of who they once were.

Of course, the visitors trailed by 27 points early in the third quarter when clarity struck. But the fact that the C’s cut the deficit to six points, at 108-102, with 3:31 left is well worth noting.

Add the suspended Rajon Rondo [stats] and the rehabbing Brandon Bass (knee) to what worked after halftime, and the Celtics might have the stuff to make a second-half run.

In order to do so, the energy level needs to be where it was over the final two quarters last night.

“I just loved the spirit,” coach Doc Rivers said. “I told them after the game, if we play like that in the second half of the season healthy, it’s going to be tough to beat us, anybody. Every once in a while you have a team-building game even though you lose, and tonight was a team-building game. I don’t like moral victories, but that was an absolute team-builder in our locker room tonight.”

Rivers had all sorts of obstacles to consider. Injuries left him with a big man rotation of Kevin Garnett, back after a two-game absence for personal reasons, and rookies Greg Stiemsma and JaJuan Johnson.

When Paul Pierce [stats] left the game with two quick fouls after chasing Kevin Durant, and Garnett eventually went to the bench for his much-needed rest, the Celtics youth was left holding the bag.

That’s when the Thunder went on their 28-2 tear.

And though Durant (28 points) and Russell Westbrook (31) would finish with their customary big numbers, the points were a little harder to come by in the second half.

Mickael Pietrus matched up against Durant, Avery Bradley blocked Westbrook twice in his unenviable assignment, and the C’s started to climb back.

Pierce, who didn’t hit his second shot until after halftime, broke out with 13 points in the third quarter, triggering some of the best Celtics offense in the last two weeks.

“Paul was great,” Rivers said. “You could hear him out there. We got it to 20 and you could hear him shout 20, we got it to 17 and you could hear him shout 17. He was counting it down out loud, and for young guys that’s a good message.”

Pierce could feel that momentum build all the way up until it fell apart on Durant’s smooth pull-up banker with 2:47 left for a 112-102 Oklahoma City lead.

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