This Western Conference shock began with total control of the first seconds of the Thunder, who started this game with a 9-0. The Wolves lose the ball and are overwhelmed by the aggressiveness of the Oklahoma City players (24-30). They nevertheless reacted with a 23-6 even if the return to the floor of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was good. When returning to the locker room, the Thunder are still in front (54-57).
Everything gets complicated in the third quarter. Minnesota's defense goes up a notch, Rudy Gobert keeps rebounding, a few award-winning shots fall in and the Thunder finds itself on the ropes, after having scored 17 points in twelve minutes (83-74). Did Anthony Edwards and his teammates do the hard part? Not yet. Because even if they maintain their lead at the start of the last act, we must resist the return of “SGA”.
The Canadian is cold as a blade. With his baskets and free throws, he brings his team back into the game. Karl-Anthony Towns takes his last two fouls and the Thunder are then three points ahead. Anthony Edwards manages to snatch three free throws to equalize, but he misses all three! 97-102 victory for the Thunder, who are only one success away from sharing the lead in the conference with Minnesota.
What you must remember
Don't panic, there's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. When he returned to the floor in the last quarter, the Wolves were nine points ahead. With 11 points in seven minutes, he will completely overthrow Minnesota, without trembling or making a fuss, still in his subdued style. Aggressive at the start of the match, then decisive at the end, he finished with 33 points at 10/22 shooting and 12/13 free throws.
Anthony Edwards' three missed free throws. The Wolves were three points behind when the guard managed to get a foul on his 3-point attempt. A golden opportunity to equalize to snatch extra time. He misses the first free throw. Then the second. As there are only three seconds left to play, you have to deliberately throw the last one to hope for an offensive rebound and a new 3-point attempt. Except that Edwards throws the ball against the board: it doesn't touch the circle, so a missed free throw and Thunder ball… Result: a very rare 0/3 for him and especially at the worst moment.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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.
