The buzzsaw comes for everyone. Whether it's a one dimensional offense for a tanking team or a balanced fleet of shooters and ball movers on the defending champs, the Thunder's (30-5) defensive teeth are sharp and fast enough to cut down any lead over 48 minutes of play.
The Celtics (26-10) played a familiar foil in dramatic fashion, giving the Thunder some trouble through the first half before crumbling under the pressure of OKC's defense in the second. Boston scored 25 points in the entire second half, watching their 65-55 lead become sawdust as everyone defended and Shai (31 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists, 5 stocks) steadied the offense.