The final time the Oklahoma City Thunder and Washington Wizards squared off, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 42 factors, which each tied his, on the time, career-high and received the sport. The Thunder took down the Wizards once more, however this time in extra convincing vogue with a last rating of 127-110.
This time round, the Thunder started the sport with a giant leap on the Wizards. They took the primary quarter 35-17 and noticed manufacturing across the board.
That momentum from the primary quarter would comply with via the half, as they led 68-42 at halftime. The margin is the Thunder’s largest halftime lead for the Thunder this season.
Five totally different gamers had been at or inside one basket of scoring in double-figures for the half. The manufacturing wasn’t pinned by anyone participant, however slightly everybody succeeded in their very own proper. They performed a really related recreation in their dominating win towards the Boston Celtics, two video games in the past. They additionally shot 10-of-20 on 3-pointers as a workforce, too.
There was an early emphasis from the Wizards to double-team and throw no matter they might at Gilgeous-Alexander to sluggish him down. His response was to divert to teammates, which allowed for him to guide the Thunder in the third quarter, as he scored 16 of his 30 factors in the quarter. The Thunder completed the third quarter with a 103-80 lead.
Having the remainder of the squad contributing effectively whereas Gilgeous-Alexander arms out buckets is one thing the Thunder haven’t seen a ton of, however is proving to be too laborious to comprise for different groups.
The Wizards weren’t going to roll over, although, as they discovered themselves with a 12-0 run to chop the Thunder’s result in 14 factors with round eight minutes to go in the sport. Big minutes from Lu Dort would assist cease the run and assist the Thunder regain management of the sport.
For the remainder of the sport, each groups traded some buckets, however the Thunder would finally maintain on and cruise to the win.
Gilgeous-Alexander and Josh Giddey proceed to show that they’ll play alongside one another and play nicely. Gilgeous-Alexander completed with 30 factors on 10-of-23 capturing whereas Giddey added 20 factors on 9-of-16 capturing and 2-of-2 on 3-pointers. All 5 starters scored in double-digits, too.Â
Coming into this recreation, the narrative surrounded Kristaps Porzingis and his 7-foot-3 body towards the depleted Thunder frountcourt. However, the Thunder held him to 14 factors on 3-of-11 capturing.
As a workforce, the Thunder shot 51 p.c from the sector and 45.9 p.c on 3-pointers. It was a formidable displaying for the Thunder on either side of the ball.
The Thunder’s subsequent little bit of motion will come towards the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday, January eighth the place we’ll see a battle between Gilgeous-Alexander and Luka Doncic.
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