Friday night’s big game was reminiscent of a big moment from Boston Celtics history.
In Game 4 of the NBA Finals, the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Indiana Pacers 111-104, using the gritty win to tie the series. While the Thunder got their split in Indiana, it came in incredibly unlikely fashion, particularly in this era.
The Thunder shot only 3-of-16 from beyond the arc, tying the fewest 3-point makes of any team in any game this season. It was also the first time a team had only made three 3-pointers in an NBA Finals game and won since Boston did so in Game 5 of the 2010 NBA Finals, which happened exactly 15 years earlier.
The Celtics won that classic battle 92-86, and their three 3-pointers came from some somewhat surprising players. Paul Pierce nailed two of those deep shots, while Rasheed Wallace nailed the other off the bench. Although those players nailing threes isn’t exactly shocking, Ray Allen’s 0-of-4 mark from deep was a bit surprising.
Oklahoma City’s win secured home-court advantage again heading into Game 5, while Boston’s win in 2010 gave it a 3-2 lead before heading back to Los Angeles, where it would lose to the Lakers in seven games.
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After the Celtics’ heartbreaking Finals loss in 2010, it took them another 12 years to make it back to that stage and 14 to win a title. While the Big 3 Celtics only won one championship in 2008, that era of the Celtics still has plenty of history beyond the ring.
