SGA’s Record, Celtics’ Grit Hint at Finals Preview

SGA Shatters Wilt’s Record as Thunder Edge Celtics in Thriller

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma City Thunder notched their seventh consecutive victory last night, extending their impressive streak since the return of star guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. In a game that went down to the wire against the Boston Celtics, it was SGA who ultimately delivered, dropping 35 points and, in the process, etching his name into NBA history.

SGA’s Historic Scoring Streak Continues

Gilgeous-Alexander’s 35-point performance marked his 127th consecutive game scoring 20 or more points, a feat that now stands alone as the longest streak in NBA history. This incredible run surpasses the legendary Wilt Chamberlain, whose record of 126 straight 20-point games had stood since 1963. SGA’s last game with fewer than 20 points was nearly 500 days ago, on October 30th, 2024.

“All the records and accomplishments are great, but they don’t matter if you don’t win. And that’s all that was on my mind,” SGA stated postgame, reflecting on his performance and the game’s outcome. “I was having a terrible, terrible game to that point. Didn’t like how I started. Started sluggish. Um, and I wanted to just focus on getting the car back on the road and making sure we walked out of here with a W. If we lost, I would have been pissed and would have gave the record for the W any day of the week. So, I’m glad we won and I got the record.”

Celtics Show Championship Mettle Despite Absences

Remarkably, the Boston Celtics managed to push the Thunder to the brink, losing by just two points despite being without two of their key players: Jayson Tatum and Derrick White. Their resilience and competitive spirit in the face of adversity did not go unnoticed by analysts.

“It was absolutely the epitome of why the Celtics are so highly regarded and why they have only increased their respect level in the NBA during this season,” commented host Windy. “No Jayson Tatum, no Derrick White. And yet you watch them play this game and watch them fight in the margins and stay in it… offensive rebounding and transition basketball and Jaylen Brown just, you know, hunting for shots, hunting for efficiency, getting to the line so many times. They’re just such an impressive culture the way the Celtics attack games.”

A Potential Finals Preview?

The intense, closely contested nature of the game, coupled with the Celtics’ ability to compete without their stars, has fueled speculation that this matchup could be a preview of the NBA Finals.

“I kind of wonder whether or not the Celtics didn’t even want to show. I don’t know. You know, Joe Mulla double team Shay on the last possession of the game and it led to an Alex Caruso three. I wonder if in a playoff series, Vince, they’re not double teaming Shay a lot earlier and defending him a lot differently,” host Windy mused. “So, while I give OKC credit for winning a game that they didn’t have their whole team for, this just made me believe that this indeed could be the finals matchup.”

Vince offered a similar sentiment, impressed by Boston’s fight. “I’m looking at the Celtics last night. They shot 40% from the field. They didn’t shoot well from three. And yet, like you said, not even Jaylen Brown had a good game. He was 10 for 25 and he was manufacturing offense in the fourth quarter. He might not have to do that if Jason Tatum is there… So yeah, I’m impressed with Oklahoma City, but this is what they do. They win close games. Appreciate Gildis Alexander is one of the best if not the best fourth quarter closer in the league as least at least as far as a decision maker but the Celtics grinding their way to staying in this game and possibly stealing it. I couldn’t come away more impressed than the Celtics than I was last night.”

Contextualizing SGA’s Streak

The sheer scale of SGA’s scoring streak was further contextualized by discussions comparing it to other modern stars.

“Just so you know, if you want to take the two greatest scorers of this era, Kevin Durant and LeBron James, the most Durant ever had in a row was 72. That’s that’s a whole season. That’s awesome. Shay’s got 55 more,” one commentator highlighted. “And the most that you know, LeBron, by the way, Shay at one point had 1,200 consecutive double-digit games, which is a record that’s probably going to stand the test of time. LeBron, the most 20 point games LeBron’s had in a row is 49. He’s got 70s something more than that. So, I just want to put in perspective even standing next to the peers he’s got in this era, Sha’s accomplishment in this streak is amazing.” It was also noted that Wilt Chamberlain’s streak ended due to an ejection, leaving open the possibility that SGA could have challenged that record even further.

Jaylen Brown’s Frustration with Foul Baiting

Jaylen Brown, who scored 34 points on 10-of-25 shooting, voiced his frustrations postgame regarding officiating and the trend of “foul baiting” in the league.

“I don’t know, maybe um all works in the end. But you know, I just I don’t foul bait. I’m not looking to, you know, flop or anything like that. But it’s almost like you got to. Was like cuz there’s a couple plays in the fourth quarter where I feel like I drove strong, went up strong and um I didn’t get the benefit of the doubt, but maybe if I would have flopped, maybe I was able to sell that call and those decide games,” Brown explained. “We commend players for playing the game the right way, but we give the benefit to to those who, you know, who necessarily are trying to manipulate the game into their advantage. I just don’t think it’s basketball. Like, let’s just play basketball. All the foul baiting. I think it’s it’s whatever for me.”

The League’s Offensive Tilt and SGA’s Mastery

Vince agreed with Brown’s sentiment, suggesting that the league’s rules have tilted too heavily in favor of offense, allowing players like SGA to master exploiting them.

“Shai Gilgeous Alexander has mastered the game. And when players master the game, it’s time for the league to take a look at the circumstances that have created a player mastering the game,” Vince stated. “All the rules over the last 20 some odd years have been favored and tailored toward offense… Anything that feels like 50-50, tie goes to the offense at this stage. And I do think that it’s time for the league to go and look at things from the standpoint of has the axis tilted too much towards offense. That’s not a fault of Shay Gilders Alexander. That’s him knowing the rule book and knowing exactly how he can exploit the rules to his advantage.”

The discussion also touched upon SGA’s signature “arm bar” move, which is currently deemed a clean play by the league, despite creating separation. “This is deemed a clean play in the NBA. Shyman goes back. That’s deemed a clean play. And And Shay knows this. This is nothing wrong with this play. This is okay. And Shay uses this to his advantage over and over and over,” a commentator noted, adding that while it’s legal, it contributes to the perception of an unbalanced game.

Lakers’ Third Seed Push and LeBron’s Evolving Role

In other NBA action, the Los Angeles Lakers, with LeBron James returning, secured a 130-124 victory over the Chicago Bulls. LeBron contributed 18 points, while Luka Dončić led the charge with a staggering 51 points. Every Lakers starter scored 15 or more points.

This win propelled the Lakers into third place in the Western Conference standings, their highest position since early January. The team’s recent defensive uptick, albeit still allowing 130 points, has been noted, with LeBron playing minutes at center and reportedly adapting his role.

“What JJ is implying there is that he had a discussion with LeBron and they kind of decided, LeBron, you’re going to yield to Luca and Austin Reeves,” Wendy observed about LeBron’s potential shift. “Now, what does that mean? Well, if you watch last night’s game and look, it’s very difficult to judge a Bulls performance, but if you talk first off, if you talk to scouts, they have noticed a general uptick in defensive intensity from the Lakers in the last few weeks and LeBron especially.”

However, Vince remains skeptical about the Lakers’ long-term prospects, particularly given their upcoming challenging road trip. “I just don’t see how they survive that six-game road trip against all of those good teams in the Eastern Conference… I don’t see the Lakers being able to sustain their effort on the defensive end to the point that they can hold off those teams.”

Wendy, however, sees a potential pathway, acknowledging LeBron’s willingness to adapt. “Yes, I did. I I you know, because I think if you one of the things that LeBron has always done is he’s always done what he felt his team needed to win for decades that was doing in being Mr. Everything.” Wendy added, “What if it isn’t? What if what we’re seeing is actually something? Because that’s the whole thing about this Lakers team. Their top end talent is awesome. It just doesn’t work together. So, what they’re trying to do in March is trying to stitch together a way to make it work. It could fail, but I respect what they’re trying to do.”

Source: Does Windy have reservations in Boston? Celtics vs. OKC ‘could be the Finals matchup!’ | First Take (YouTube)