Thunder Preview: Celtics In OKC For Sunset Sunday

<p>Following a loss to the Rockets, the Thunder will be back in action on Sunday evening when the Boston Celtics come to town. </p>

Saturday, December 10th 2016, 3:17 pm

By: Brett Coppenbarger

Thunder Preview: Celtics In OKC For Sunset Sunday

In the fifth installment of “Sunset Sunday” this season, the Thunder will be back in action against the Boston Celtics for a 6 p.m. matchup.

Here are a few things to know about Sunday night’s game:

Thunder look to get back on track

After reeling off six consecutive wins, the Thunder stumbled on Friday night with a 102-99 loss to James Harden and the Houston Rockets. Despite trailing by double digits in the fourth quarter, OKC made things interesting late in the game by clawing back within one point, but the Thunder couldn’t regain the lead and ultimately dropped its fifth home-game of the season.

With a 13-10 record, the Celtics come into this matchup following a 101-94 loss to the Toronto Raptors. Both teams will be hungry to get back in the win column.

Triple-double watch continues

Despite losing on Friday night, Russell Westbrook managed to record his seventh consecutive triple-double against the Rockets.

Westbrook notched 27 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists, but made only 8-of-25 shot attempts and failed to draw iron in the game’s final seconds with the Thunder trailing only by one point. Even though the streak continued, Westbrook expects more of himself out on the court, so one can assume he’ll come out ready to bounce-back on Sunday evening.

Russell Westbrook notches his SEVENTH straight triple-double for the @OKCThunder with 27 points, 10 rebounds & 10 assists. #ThunderUp pic.twitter.com/ZCcOzugyF2
— NBA (@NBA) December 10, 2016

Celtics without leading scorer

After making the all-star game last season, Boston’s point guard Isaiah Thomas picked up where he left off this year, averaging 26 points and 6.2 assists per game. Thomas is one of the better scoring guards in the league, and the Celtics will be without him against the Thunder as Thomas continues to nurse a groin strain.

UPDATE: Isaiah Thomas is OUT for Sunday's game in Oklahoma City.
— Marc D'Amico (@Marc_DAmico) December 10, 2016

Former OSU star, Marcus Smart, has filled in nicely for Thomas in the starting lineup, and should see a lot of playing time when he returns to the 405.

Celtics without leading scorer

UPDATE: Isaiah Thomas is OUT for Sunday's game in Oklahoma City.
— Marc D'Amico (@Marc_DAmico) December 10, 2016

Former OSU star, Marcus Smart, has filled in nicely for Thomas in the starting lineup, and should see a lot of playing time when he returns to the 405.

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