The Oklahoma City Thunder used a second half surge to overcome the Boston Celtics and it big key was keeping Jaylen Brown scoreless after intermission. How did the Thunder pull that off?

Trailing All-Star Jaylen Brown and the Boston Celtics by ten points at halftime, Oklahoma City Thunder guard Lu Dort made a key defensive switch that led to a scoreless second half for the All-Star before sealing a 105-92 victory.

Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander stuffed the stat sheet with an MVP-caliber performance in his 33 points, 11 rebounds, six assists, three steals, and two blocks. He also went a perfect 8-for-8 from the free-throw line. Dort finished with 14 points, six rebounds, one block, and a steal.

Jaylen Brown noted how the entire Boston Celtics team must improve following a tough loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder

Referee J.T. Orr, left, assesses technical fouls to Houston Rockets head coach About Ime Udoka, center, and Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James during the second half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023, in Los Angeles. Udoka was ejected from the game as that was his second technical foul.

Jaylen Brown led Boston with 24 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists. Jayson Tatum tallied 23 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and three steals. That’s their second win in Boston this year. They also beat the Cleveland Cavaliers twice as well.

Zion Williamson highlighted a 24-point, 14-rebound performance with an array of thunderous dunks during a dominant fourth-quarter stint, and the New Orleans Pelicans beat the Utah Jazz 136-123 on Friday night to open a two-game set.

Kyrie Irving scored 25 points as the Dallas Mavericks brought the high-flying Oklahoma City Thunder down to earth with a 106-98 victory over the Western Conference leaders on Friday.

NEW YORK (AP) — Anthony Edwards had 36 points, a season-high 13 rebounds and seven assists, leading the Minnesota Timberwolves to a 116-99 victory over the New York Knicks on Friday night.

The Cavs have the best offense in the NBA, but Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell struggle against bigger, more physical players.

The Thunder, Celtics and Cavs have separated themselves as top-tier NBA Finals contenders this season. But what are their biggest flaws?

Mazzulla says the pressure on the Celtics is coming from comparisons to Cavs and Thunder: "Oh, you're not as good because you're not them."