Kristaps Porzingis scored 27 points, and Jayson Tatum added 24 points in the Boston Celtics 135-100 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday. With the victory, the Celtics claim the NBA’s best record. Boston is now 60-16 on the season, 33-3 at home. The Celtics next host the Sacramento Kings at 7:30 p.m. ET on Friday at TD Garden.
Josh Gidde led the Thunder with 17 points, while Lugentz Dort added 15. In a race for the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference, the loss to the Celtics doesn’t help OKC. The Thunder now play the Sacramento Kings at 8 p.m. ET on Tuesday.
Betting recap for Thunder vs. Celtics (4/3/24)
Pregame NBA betting odds had Boston as the consensus -8.5-point favorite and the Celtics easily covered the spread on Wednesday night. As for the over/under at Massachusetts sports betting apps, the score ultimately hit the over on the total of 231.5.
Thunder vs. Celtics postgame statistical analysis for April 3
Oklahoma City came into Boston without Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jaylin Williams and it went about as expected. The Thunder kept it within striking distance for the first three quarters before Boston put it away with a 42-17 fourth quarter.
Boston was efficient from the field, shooting 54% and 42.5% from three. Oklahoma City had a rough night from three, shooting just 20.9%. The Celtics also showed their size advantage over OKC, out-rebounding them 46-31. Overall, without OKC’s best players, they would have a tough time competing with the top team in the Eastern Conference.
| Team Statistics | Oklahoma City Thunder | Boston Celtics |
|---|---|---|
| Points | 100 | 135 |
| Rebounds | 31 | 46 |
| Assists | 21 | 23 |
| Field Goals | 35-81 | 50-92 |
| Field Goal % | 43.2 | 54.3 |
| Three Pointers | 5-24 | 17-40 |
| Three Point % | 20.9 | 42.5 |
| Free Throws | 25-28 | 18-19 |
| Free Throw % | 89.3 | 94.7 |
Thunder vs. Celtics player highlights from Wednesday night
Entering Wednesday’s game, both teams were atop their respective conferences. It was viewed as a potential NBA Finals matchup. Boston had little trouble with the Thunder thanks to Kristaps Porzingis, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown each scoring at least 23 points. As a result of the victory, the Celtics odds have them as heavy favorites to win the NBA championship.
Thunder leaders from Wednesday night
On the other side, Josh Giddey led the charge for Oklahoma City, logging 17 points, while Lugentz Dort followed close behind by adding 15 points to the scoreboard.
- Josh Giddey (SG): 17 PTS, 6 RBS, 2 ASTS
- Luguentz Dort (SF): 15 PTS, 4 RBS, 5 ASTS
- Isaiah Joe (SG): 13 PTS, 3 RBS, 0 ASTS
- Case Wallace (G): 12 PTS, 1 RBS, 5 ASTS
- Chet Holmgren (PF): 11 PTS, 7 RBS, 2 ASTS
Celtics leaders from Wednesday night
Key players showed impressive stats in Wednesday’s win against the Thunder, with Kristaps Porzingis contributing a game-high 27 points and 12 rebounds.
- Kristaps Porzingis (C): 27 PTS, 12 RBS, 4 ASTS
- Jayson Tatum (SF): 24 PTS, 7 RBS, 3 ASTS
- Jaylen Brown (SG): 23 PTS, 7 RBS, 4 ASTS
- Al Horford (C): 16 PTS, 4 RBS, 2 ASTS
- Jrue Holiday (PG): 12 PTS, 7 RBS, 4 ASTS
