Every game left on the Celtics’ schedule represents an opportunity to mine information and store it for the postseason.
The lesson from Wednesday’s 135-100 victory over the Thunder was how to take advantage of opponents when they switch smaller players onto Kristaps Porzingis, coach Joe Mazzulla said.
Early in the game, Oklahoma City center Chet Holmgren got caught up chasing slashers into the paint. Porzingis drifted beyond the arc, ready to shoot open threes when the Thunder were late with closeouts. He made all three of his 3-point attempts in the first half, including two within the first five minutes.