The score speaks for itself: 139-77. A gap of 62 points between the Thunder, co-leader of the Western Conference, and the penultimate Blazers in the same conference. Three minutes of observation round with a 5-0 signed Scoot Henderson, and then Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's teammates played their basketball with fast play, incisive cuts, and skill from afar. An explosive cocktail which allows OKC to sign a 22-2. The gap is made, and it will only get bigger as the minutes go by.
Yet in “back-to-back” after its victory in Miami, OKC is on the run, sharing the ball, and SGA delivers some treats for Josh Giddey or Jalen Williams on the counterattack. At the break, there are already 36 points difference! And the rest will be worse for Chauncey Billups' players, real obstacles in defense. The gap reached 40 points after three minutes in the second half, on a “touchdown” from Jalen Williams. It's Ousmane Dieng who crosses the 50-point mark (103-52), and it's Tre Mann, at 3-points, who exceeds the 60-point difference (116-54). We're still in the 3rd quarter…
Fortunately, the “garbage time” will allow the Blazers to stop the bleeding with a final gap of 62 points. This is the biggest victory in Thunder history, and the 5th biggest margin in NBA history.
What you must remember
– The Thunder at the top! Thanks to this victory, OKC joins the Wolves at the top of the Western Conference with 26 victories and 11 defeats. Minnesota maintains 1st place due to its better record in the NorthWest division. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's teammates have had the best start to a season since 2015/16. A season like no other, since Kevin Durant will leave OKC for the Warriors during the following summer.
– The Blazers love spankings. Except for their surprise victory in Brooklyn, Chauncey Billups' players have been turning their cheeks in every meeting for 10 days. Before this setback against the Thunder, they were coming off a 28-point defeat against the Knicks, two slaps against the Mavericks (-36 and -29) or even -21 against the Suns.
How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
