Celtics Prove NBA Finals Dreams Are Real In Impressive Loss To Thunder

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The Boston Celtics were severely undermanned against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday night, facing the defending champs on the road without three rotation players.

And yet, they led for much of the game and nearly won before falling just short at the end, 104-102.

ESPN's "First Take" was impressed with the Celtics' effort, which was nearly good enough to upset the best team in the NBA.

"It was absolutely the epitome of why the Celtics are so highly regarded and why they have only increased their respect level in the NBA during this season," Brian Windhorst said on Friday morning. "You watch them play this game and watch them fight in the margins and stay in it...They're just such an impressive culture, the way the Celtics attack games."

In the end, however, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder's superior depth were too much to overcome.

"While I give OKC for winning a good game that they didn't have their whole team for, this just made me believe that this could indeed be the Finals matchup," Windhorst added.

Vince Goodwill agreed and was also impressed by Boston's gritty performance.

"The Celtics grinding their way to staying in this game and possibly stealing it, I couldn't come away more impressed in the Celtics than I was last night," Goodwill said.

They're right that the Celtics and Thunder may meet again in the Finals, as both teams are currently favored to win their respective conferences.

If Thursday's game was any indication, that would be a fun series to watch.

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