Thunder ahead Darius Bazley returned to the court docket on Monday evening after an ankle damage sidelined the previous first spherical decide for the previous 5 video games. Prior to Oklahoma City’s contest towards the New York Knicks, Bazley had not suited up since Nov. 9.
The younger ahead seemed assured in his first recreation again, supplementing a seven-point, three-rebound outing with a powerful displaying on the defensive finish of the ground. The 6-foot-8 Ohio native seemed snug with the ball in his arms in restricted motion, hitting two subject targets and getting to the free throw line on three separate events.
Bazley’s first bucket got here in transition, when the third-year man used a pleasant behind the again dribble transfer to shake Obi Toppin and get to the rim. Bazley leaped in the air, ducking between two defenders and ending a tricky contested layup for his first basket in practically two weeks.
The 22-year-old’s second rating additionally got here on a nifty transfer on the rim, when Bazley picked up his dribble and pump faked, inflicting Knicks’ heart Jericho Sims to go away the bottom. While Sims was in the air, Bazley laid the ball in and drew a foul, giving himself an opportunity at a three-point play.
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Bazley’s greatest impression, nevertheless, got here on protection. During his first 10 minutes again on the court docket, Bazley recorded three blocks, probably the most spectacular coming when the Princeton High School product denied a Toppin tomahawk dunk try.
With Oklahoma City’s lack of dimension, Bazley’s capacity to compete in the paint might be a deciding issue in many contests.
While he did not steal the present in OKC’s 10-point loss to the Knicks, Bazley had a strong efficiency and was a brilliant spot in the shedding effort. With fellow put up participant Aleksej Pokusevski nursing a nasty ankle, it’s essential that Bazley is in a position to fill the gaps left behind by the 20-year-old Serbian.
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