The Celtics had more than one chance to seal the deal against the Thunder on Sunday but failed to do so.
Jayson Tatum missed his shot on Boston’s final possession shortly after Kemba Walker turned the ball over when the Celtics still led.
Just before Walker coughed the ball up, the Celtics had regained possession after Chris Paul missed a shot in the paint following his rebound of Steven Adams’ missed free-throw attempt.
But Adams, who missed his final two free throws late in Sunday’s game, shouldn’t have gotten to the line in the first place. According to the NBA’s Last Two Minute (L2M) Report, Tatum was wrongfully called for a foul that sent Adams to the line with 28.3 seconds left in the game.
“Tatum makes incidental contact with Adams' hand on the ball before cleanly dislodging the ball,” the report stated, “and incidental arm contact occurs after Tatum dislodges the ball.”