In the Thunder’s Wednesday night time encore matchup with the Blazers, it was the house group as soon as once more popping out on high. Oklahoma City knocked off Portland 101-98 in an thrilling down to the wire end.
After a pair of free throws from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Portland had one final shot, down by one, and everybody within the Paycom Center knew who was taking it. SGA’s buzzer beater from the night time earlier than couldn’t be replicated for the Blazers, although. Damian Lillard was off on his off-balanced jumper, and Lu Dort’s smothering protection compelled a really tough try.
The Thunder shot simply 8-of-24 from behind the 3-point line, however made up for it in drives to the rim, going 21-of-25 on the charity stripe. When OKC transformed from downtown, it appeared to all the time be somebody off the bench. Mike Muscala, Lindy Waters and Isaiah Joe all knocked down triples that the Thunder desperately wanted. The reserve unit as an entire recorded 26 whole factors, highlighted by Kenrich Williams’ 9 factors, seven rebounds and two steals. The spectacular bench play has added a brand new aspect to this Thunder group.
Here’s who led the way in which within the Thunder’s second win in a row over the Blazers:
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Gilgeous-Alexander powered the Thunder down the stretch by each hitting large time pictures and discovering his method to the free throw line. The Thunder star completed with 27 factors on 8-of-19 capturing, including six rebounds, three assists and two steals.
It wasn’t a very environment friendly night time from the ground, however Gilgeous-Alexander delivered when it mattered. He’s additionally changing into the most effective free throw shooters within the league and proved it once more Wednesday night time, pulling down 11-of-13 makes an attempt.
Jalen Williams
In simply his first NBA season, Williams has develop into a really environment friendly participant for the Thunder. Good issues have a tendency to occur when he’s on the ground.
In half-hour Wednesday night time, Williams netted 15 factors on 5-of-8 capturing and 4 rebounds. Not solely has he had an impression as a rookie, however he’s been one of many key elements in lots of Oklahoma City’s wins this season.
Lu Dort
Dort earned himself the play of the night time, because the lockdown defender compelled a Damian Lillard airball with lower than a second left to safe a win for the Thunder. He hounded Lillard on protection for the whole recreation, holding the Portland star to simply 16 factors on 6-of-19 capturing with 4 turnovers.
On the flip aspect, Dort had a reasonably productive offensive output and didn’t attempt to do an excessive amount of. He completed with 14 factors on 5-of-11 capturing with three rebounds and three assists. It was a really promising efficiency from the defensive stopper, and one that may be a good reminder of why the Thunder signed him to an enormous extension.
Want to be a part of the dialogue? Like SI Thunder on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to keep up to date on all the most recent Thunder news. You may also meet the team behind the protection.
put up credit score to Source link