The Oklahoma City Thunder used its three-guard closing lineup to go into halftime with a 47-42 lead over the Boston Celtics on Friday.
In the first scrimmage game, the Thunders’ timing hasn’t been great on offense, but the defense has been strong and center Steven Adams led the way on both sides of the court.
Tied at 29 with 4:15 to go, the Thunder returned from commercial break with its lineup of guards Chris Paul, Dennis Schroder and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to go with forward Danilo Gallinari and Adams.
That lineup quickly jumped ahead and led by as much as 10 in the closing minutes of the half before the Celtics cut that lead down to five.
Adams’ two offensive rebounds and put-backs during that closing span helped Oklahoma City build some distance. Adams finished the half with 17 points on 72.7% shooting with seven rebounds and a block.
Gilgeous-Alexander had 11 points, the next-most on the Thunder.
Paul had five assists and two points and rebounds apiece. Schroder had two points and three rebounds.
Gallinari had nine points, three assists and three rebounds.
There has still been no Andre Roberson sighting on the court Friday.
Head coach Billy Donovan said before the game that Roberson was available and would not have a minutes restriction, but Roberson is yet to appear.
Celtics wing Jaylen Brown leads Boston with nine points, while Jayson Tatum was limited to just three points to go with two assists and a team-high four rebounds.
Boston big man Daniel Theis had eight points, three assists, three rebounds and a block.
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