Boston Celtics fall to OKC Thunder 98-84 in first Disney scrimmage

The Boston Celtics were still a little rusty on the defensive end of the ball, but looked pretty solid for a four-month layoff.

The Boston Celtics faced off in an exhibition scrimmage with the Oklahoma City Thunder Friday afternoon in their first game against another team since early March, and it was as rusty and awkward as you might think after such a long layover.

The Celtics (and Thunder) regularly missed coverages, passed the ball into the stands, and front-rimmed shots. Boston in particular had trouble with the 3-ball early, going 3-of-14 in the first half.

But even considering all the cobwebs that lingered on the team’s game, it wasn’t as rough as it could have been, with a few flashy plays by both teams demonstrating the Celtics and Thunder both are closer to game shape than not.

Boston lost the tip, but after center Steven Adams biffed a trey, got on the board first with a crisp jumper by shooting guard Jaylen Brown.

Oklahoma jumped out to a 9-4 lead early, but guard Marcus Smart’s pick-pocketing created three extra possessions in the first half alone, the rust not exclusive to Boston.

OKC center Steven Adams led all scorers with 17 points early, Boston having trouble managing his heft in the paint.

The Thunder threatened to build a big lead several times in the first half, but the Celtics kept things close with some crafty play by center Daniel Theis, Smart and Brown in particular.

Gordon Hayward closed out the first half with a trey to cut the Thunder lead to 47-42, and the starters were replaced with the second of both teams to start the second half.

Boston’s bench was as sloppy as the starters early on, with Carsen Edwards continuing to struggle away from the basket.

OKC built a 55-45 lead at the 7:30 mark of the third frame, but a Javonte Green bucket and a Grant Williams trey cut the lead back to six with just under seven to go in the penultimate frame.

Recently-returned from the concussion protocol, two way point guard Tremont Waters looked especially good with multiple gaudy passes and a steal.

Center Robert Williams III also demonstrated an improved court awareness as well, cutting to get open off a pass from Edwards.

The Celtics went into the final frame trailing 71-61, and former Celtic Abdel Nader would start things off with a 2-point bucket for the Thunder’s biggest lead of the game up to that point.

Defense seemed a particular challenge for the second unit as OKC would  build as much as a 16-point lead late, and the Thunder would come away with a 98-84 win.

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