In Oklahoma City’s fifth preseason recreation, the Thunder defeated the Detroit Pistons 115-99 in Detroit on Tuesday night.
Second-year guard Josh Giddey led the best way offensively for OKC, tallying 16 factors, 9 assists and 5 rebounds in addition to sinking 4 photographs from 3-point vary.Â
The Thunder warmed up with all 12 gamers on the 3-point line, getting off apply photographs from downtown. This appeared to arrange the Thunder for a 3-point barrage out of the gate, as the crew fired off 10 photographs from past the arc in the primary quarter, together with all of OKC’s first 4 made area objectives.
Two of those makes got here from Giddey, who opened the competition with eight factors, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. Despite Oklahoma City’s aggression on offense, the Thunder trailed 32-28 after a back-and-forth first quarter.
Killian Hayes and the Pistons continued to warmth up in the second quarter behind their very own spectacular streak from behind the road. Hayes knocked down a number of triples in addition to penetrating the inside of OKC’s protection and doling out to open shooters on the 3-point line.
The Thunder regarded rushed attempting to maintain tempo with the Pistons in the second body, forcing contested photographs, turning the ball over and committing pointless fouls. Despite their struggles, a 9-2 run late in the quarter aided by 3-pointers from Lu Dort, Aaron Wiggins and Jalen Williams saved the Thunder in competition going into halftime.
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After a sloppy begin to the second half, three consecutive steals from Oklahoma City gifted the Thunder an early third quarter lead. Leading the cost was Giddey, who left his mark once more in the third. The 20-year-old Australian linked on a number of well timed 3-pointers, snatched rebounds off the rim and distributed the ball across the ground to offer OKC its largest lead of the sport.
Defensively, Oklahoma City confirmed enchancment popping out of the break, holding the Pistons to 4-of-16 from the sphere to start out the interval. Heading into the ultimate quarter, the Thunder held an 82-74 benefit over Detroit.Â
3-pointers continued to rain in the fourth quarter, three coming from rookie wing Ousmane Dieng. Forward Aleksej Pokusevski additionally helped OKC open the ultimate body on a excessive word, changing two drives to the paint into baskets.Â
This was the precursor to a dominant fourth quarter from the Thunder, who outscored the Pistons 33-25 to shut out the sport. Despite a well-earned win, there are nonetheless main areas of concern from OKC, who turned the ball over 18 occasions.Â
While a robust taking pictures evening helped Oklahoma City overcome these struggles, the Thunder will have to be extra cautious with the ball transferring ahead. Additionally, OKC had points taking part in protection and rebounding in the paint in opposition to Detroit, and should maintain up higher down low to compete in the common season.
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story by The Texas Tribune Source link