Oklahoma City is firing on all cylinders and the league is beginning to take discover. Sunday evening was no totally different.
The Thunder, nonetheless with out two beginning entrance courtroom members, marched into Brooklyn and knocked off the Nets 112-102 in regulation. Brooklyn was quick handed too, with out Kevin Durant, however the Thunder win marks the third victory over the Eastern convention’s prime three seeds in the final two weeks. Before the Nets, the Thunder additionally dealt with Boston and Philadelphia relatively comfortably.
Since the New Year began, Oklahoma City is 6-2. The ream has had to discover other ways to win, which is been the most encouraging a part of the streak — it doesn’t appear to be a fluke. Sunday evening, the Thunder appeared dedicated to taking part in by means of its stars and locking up protection. For the second straight sport, OKC had to fend off a late comeback effort to pull it off too. The late-game minutes given to OKC’s youthful core are invaluable.
Here’s who helped energy Oklahoma City to a 3rd straight victory:
Josh Giddey
Giddey’s latest stretch has actually been eye-opening, however Sunday evening’s sport felt like we reached a brand new pinnacle. His development all through the season has been evident and plain.
Against the Nets, Giddey poured in 28 factors, 9 rebounds, 9 assists and only one turnover. He was a plus-14 in his 37 minutes. His speedy enchancment is elevating the Thunder’s ceiling each this season and for the future.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
SGA recorded a couple of uncharacteristic misses in the first half, however nonetheless managed to have a robust efficiency behind getting to the free throw line and excelling in the clutch.
Gilgeous-Alexander recorded 28 factors and 7 rebounds, pulling down 11-of-14 makes an attempt at the free throw line. Letting the offense move by means of each SGA and Giddey was an excessive amount of for Brooklyn to deal with.
Lu Dort
Sunday evening was one among Dort’s finest video games of the season. He notched 22 factors on 6-of-10 capturing and 5-of-7 from 3-point vary. He was additionally tasked with guarding Kyrie Irving, one among the sport’s craftiest level guards, and shut him down. Irving shot simply 7-of-20 from the flooring and 1-of-7 from 3-point vary. Dort’s affect on the sport was plain.
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