The Celtics, who just wrapped up a seven-game homestand, will travel to Miami to face the Heat on Friday. Boston shot 36 3-pointers in the first half, the most 3-pointers in any half in the history of the NBA. They made 15 of those and finished 20 of 63 (31.7 percent) for the game.

The Celtics will be doing so with a fairly long injury report of key players that is more likely indicative of the late date in the NBA's 2024-25 and the team's likely interest in

The Oklahoma City Thunder have swept the season series with the Boston Celtics but each game was a great display of basketball. The NBA would be lucky if each team can navigate to the NBA Finals.

But calling this game -- a 118-112 road victory that clinched a playoff spot Oklahoma City -- a Finals preview ignores the wider picture. The Thunder didn't have Jalen Williams. They obviously expect to have him in the postseason,

After watching Boston drop a second contest to the Thunder this past Wednesday night, fans of the team were understandably concerned.

Someone might want to ask the Boston Celtics about that. Oklahoma City went into Boston, had their defense excel in a playoff-like environment, and went on a late 15-4 run to pull away and beat the Celtics 118-112.