This is the new era of the NBA. Great defense can only hold for so long.
For much of the fourth quarter, Alex Abrines did his best to stay in front of the slippery Kyrie Irving. The Boston guard was twice stymied trying to shake past Abrines, but on an offensive rebound with the Thunder ahead by two late in the fourth quarter, Irving got a third opportunity.
The Thunder's defense showed up after a poor performance four days prior. It's offense didn't in a 101-95 loss to the Celtics, dropping the Thunder to 0-4 in its first four games for the first time in franchise history.