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SPORTS Monday 4 February 2019

Irving, Celtics outlast Thunder in 134-129 thriller

By G.COOLBAUGH, Westbrook with 8.1 seconds
Associated Press on the clock and Horford
BOSTON (AP) — Eight days got the ball back to Tatum,
after letting a win slip away who sealed the win at the
against the Golden State line. “In a (tight) game like
Warriors, the Celtics were that, I’ve just got to take
able to finish the job against care of the ball, so that’s
another tough Western on me,” Westbrook said.
Conference opponent. “It’s winning time,” Irving
Kyrie Irving had 30 points said. “I feel like when the
and 11 assists as Boston ball’s in my hand, I’ve just
overcame big games from got to make the right play.
Oklahoma City stars Paul Being down the stretch, just
George and Russell West- trying to make the right de-
brook to snap the Thunder’s cisions.”
seven-game win streak in a TIP-INS
134-129 thriller on Sunday. Thunder: George has
Boston has won four straight made at least two 3-point-
since a 115-111 home loss ers in 31 straight games. ...
to the Warriors on Jan. 26 Oklahoma City enjoyed
and has won nine of its last its best offensive month in
10 games overall. franchise history in Janu-
“We battled against Gold- ary, averaging 120.6 points
en State, but (this is) a good and 44.1 made field goals Oklahoma City Thunder’s Russell Westbrook, right, defends against Boston Celtics’ Kyrie Irving, left,
win,” said Al Horford, who while going 9-5. ... F Abdel during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Boston, Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019.
had 17 points and nine as- Nader (illness) did not play Associated Press
sists. “This team has been in his return to Boston. Nad-
playing really well and it’s er, a 2016 second-round
just good to get this win draft pick of the Celtics,
here at home.” averaged 3.0 points in 48
Marcus Morris had 19 games as a rookie last sea-
points, Marcus Smart add- son with Boston.
ed 18 and seven assists and Celtics: Irving scored 20 in
Daniel Theis had 14 off the the first half, giving him 20
Celtics bench. or more points in a season-
George scored 37 points high nine straight games. ...
and Russell Westbrook C Aron Baynes missed Sun-
notched his sixth straight day’s game after an MRI
triple-double and 19th of exam Saturday revealed a
the season with 22 points, contusion in his left foot. “I
16 assists and 12 rebounds. don’t anticipate him being
“We just played a good back anytime in the next
team,” George said. “I week or so,” coach Brad
thought they made some Stevens said. ... C/F Robert
big plays, big shots. Gotta Williams (back tightness)
live with it.” also sat and is considered
Steven Adams and Den- day-to-day.
nis Schroeder each had 16 THE BIG THREE
points for Oklahoma City, Irving, George and West-
and Jerami Grant scored brook combined for 89
15. points in the nationally-
Oklahoma City suffered televised affair that served
its first loss since a 138-128 as a warm-up act for the
overtime setback against Super Bowl.
the Los Angeles Lakers on “Going against the best is
Jan. 17. always a great challenge,”
Westbrook made two free Irving said. “You just want
throws to pull Oklahoma to stay consistent in this
City within 127-125 with 45.9 game. That’s how you get
seconds remaining after respect. That’s all I really
Boston had led by six with care about, getting wins.”
1:27 to go. Irving’s driving THUNDEROUS RESPONSE
finger-roll with 23.3 seconds Oklahoma City began the
left put Boston up by four, season with four straight
but Grant answered with a losses, the last a 101-95
3-pointer to bring the Thun- home defeat by Boston on
der within 129-128. Oct. 25.
Oklahoma City squan- “They’re 33-14 since, which
dered a chance to take is as good as anybody in
the lead after Jayson Ta- the league and they look
tum missed one of two like that,” Stevens said be-
free throws. Irving stripped fore tipoff.q