Celtics unable to weather second-half Thunder storm; OKC wins 15th straight

The Thunder, led by MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's 33 points, 11 rebounds, and six assists, rally to win after facing a double-digit halftime deficit.

The play of Boston’s Jayson Tatum, like the rest of the Celtics, raised more questions than provided answers, following Boston’s 105-92 loss to the Thunder. Photo by Joshua Gateley/Getty Images

A Jayson Tatum drive into the lane resulted in a mid-air collision shortly before his shot went in, resulting in Tatum responding with the all-too-predictable raising of the arms, the “You didn’t see that ref?” kind of body language that’s understood by all onlookers.

Fellow Boston Celtic Jaylen Brown had his share of physical encounters with the Oklahoma City Thunder as well.

It is a predictable tactic teams try often when facing the defending NBA champion Boston Celtics.

But the Thunder have a roster composed of the rare 1-2 punch of being a team fueled by players who bring an elite level of athleticism AND physicality to the game.

It is that rare combination that more than anything else, played heavily in Boston’s inability to weather the Thunder’s second-half surge as they pulled away for a 105-92 win over the Celtics.