Work with NBA "Shot Doctor'' Chip Engelland is paying off for Josh Giddey, who again flourished offensively as an undermanned Oklahoma City briefly threatened title favourites Boston.
Giddey (17 points on 64 per cent shooting) top-scored for a Thunder team missing MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (quad) and Jalen Williams (ankle).
The Australian's third-quarter surge helped make it a five-point game before the runaway Eastern Conference leaders shot to safety and secured the No.1 seeds with a 135-100 win.