97 Thunder, 88 Celtics

I went to the game and it was a weird feeling to be honest, I probably cheered for the other team the most I ever have, especially pregame. Seeing Perkins live and in a Thunder jersey was like seeing a best friend in a Thunder jersey. If the Celtics get knocked out of the playoffs (or don't even make it) I will be rooting for the Thunder because of Perk.

Perkins got a giant standing ovation during the start of the game, when he touched the ball in the 1st quarter and when they played the tribute video above. The thing with Perk is that looking at it know, the trade that Danny pulled was a complete failure. I believe that if Jeff Green played this year and didn't have that heart condition, we would be at least a .500 record. It's becoming more and more evident that the big 3 are getting older, so when it comes to a fast break (like we saw last night) it's Rondo who's running and Ray, Paul and KG are 8 steps behind him. If Jeff were to be playing he would have been Rondo's running mate.

Kendrick Perkins had 7 points and 5 rebounds in his return to the Garden.

On to the game, I know there aren't moral victories, but last night has to count as one, especially on a team that has lost 5 straight. The Thunder are a good team, and the Celtics came back from a 10 point deficit down to 3 with 2 minutes left, but Russell Westbrook and Thabo Sefolosha each nailed two three-pointers to seal the game. It was frustrating as hell watching the Celtics get within striking distance and seeing them turn the ball over or watching Russell Westbrook do his gun dance after nailing dagger 3.

For the positives the Celtics got 15 offensive rebounds to the Celtics and out-rebounded the Thunder 48-40. Paul Pierce had 24 points and looked vintage as he attacked the rim constantly. Jermaine O'Neal had a double double with 12 points and 11 rebounds.