OKC Thunder: Thunder struggle to contain LaMelo Ball in 121-113 loss to Hornets | Sports

The Charlotte Hornets have been searching for the knockout punch with a minute to go.

Terry Rozier discovered an unbothered LaMelo Ball on the right-wing spot and flickered in a three-pointer. 12 seconds later, Ball returned the favor as he discovered a operating Rozier for a simple transition bucket.

In 22 seconds, the Hornets have been in a position to balloon their lead from 4 factors to 9 factors. That mini-run capped off the Hornets’ tenth win of the season because the Thunder fell, 121-113.

The lack of measurement was evident for the Thunder this sport, because the Hornets scored 66 factors in the paint. The duo of Mason Plumlee and Mark Williams mixed to rating 31 factors on 13-of-14 taking pictures on the rim.

The Hornets have been in a position to share the ball, as 33 of their 46 made subject targets have been assisted. 

Ball led the way in which with 27 factors, 10 rebounds and 9 assists. P.J. Washington’s monster second half noticed him rating 19 of his 25 factors. Williams – the rookie middle – had his finest sport of the season as his seven-foot body took benefit of the skinny Thunder frontcourt with 17 factors and 13 rebounds.

The Thunder had a trio of 20-point scorers in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Josh Giddey and Lu Dort. Giddey completed with 21 factors on 7-of-15 taking pictures and 10 rebounds. Dort completed with 22 factors and shot 5-of-7 from three.

Jalen Williams and Tre Mann additionally contributed with double-digit scoring video games. Jaylin Williams acquired his first profession begin and grabbed 10 rebounds.

Here are three different ideas from the Thunder’s eight-point loss.

SGA struggles – comparatively talking

Gilgeous-Alexander as soon as once more led the Thunder with 28 factors on 11-of-23 taking pictures. Gilgeous-Alexander additionally added 5 assists, three rebounds and two steals. 

The Hornets did a very good job at limiting Gilgeous-Alexander’s harm contained in the paint and never permitting him to go the free-throw line with ease with a 5-of-7 night time from the charity stripe.

Poor OKC offense

The Thunder managed to rating 113 factors however it got here on inefficient taking pictures.

The Thunder went 42-of-99 (42.4 %) from the sector. From three, it shot 11-of-36 (30.6 %). 

The Thunder solely dished out 15 assists as a group – a season-low. This doubtless explains the poor effectivity as exterior of Gilgeous-Alexander, the Thunder do not likely roster self-shot creators. 

Thunder again on nationwide TV

The Thunder will play its first sport on TNT for the reason that 2020 NBA playoffs.

It was introduced on Thursday that the Jan. 10 street sport for the Thunder in opposition to the Miami Heat can be aired on TNT, changing the Detroit Pistons vs. Philadelphia 76ers sport. 

After its first scheduled TNT sport in opposition to the Orlando Magic on Nov. 1 was scrapped, the NBA known as an audible two months later to embody the Thunder on its nationwide tv schedule.

Next Game: The Thunder return house to play its annual New Year’s Eve sport in a matchup in opposition to the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday, Dec. 31 at 7 p.m. CT.