OKLAHOMA CITY — The Celtics played a strong first half, but nothing came easy afterwards against the hottest team in the NBA. The C’s were dominated in the second half as they lost 105-92 to the Thunder on Sunday at Paycom Center. The C’s dropped to 26-10 while the Thunder improved to 30-5 with their 15th straight victory.
Both teams knew the assignment Sunday — right from tipoff, the intensity and environment lived up to the billing. The shot-making was on point as it was an entertaining game between the reigning champs and the West’s best team.
While it was a back-and-forth first quarter, the Celtics created some distance as part of a strong second quarter to take a 10-point halftime lead. The C’s were the better team early as they leaned on their double big lineup for a physicality advantage…