This duel between two best defenses in the league started on a… defensive basis! The Rockets were up to 7 points ahead in the first quarter (16-9), but both attacks floundered. Houston is 6/24 on shots with 6 lost balls, while the Thunder is 7/23 with 4 lost balls. Kenrich Williams' good entry, however, allows the Thunder to remain in ambush (20-18).
The entries of Amen Thompson (19 points, 7 rebounds) and Tari Eason (12 points) toughen the game even more. The first named scores ten points in the second quarter to give the Rockets a six-point lead (38-32) , and it takes the surge of the Shai Gilgeous-Alexander – Jalen Williams duo (20 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists) to keep Oklahoma City in the game (42-41).
On returning from the locker room, the address is finally there. The Rockets start with a 4/6 from afar thanks to Jabari Smith (14 points, 6 rebounds), Jalen Green (12 points, 5/13 on shots), and Dillon Brooks (14 points, 5/17 on shots), but the Thunder responds with a 5/5 thanks in particular to three successes from Lu Dort (19 points, 5/9 at 3-points) to launch an 11-0 and take the advantage (60-56). Under the leadership of SGA and a sudden Isaiah Hartenstein (21 points, 8 rebounds) who feasts inside, OKC takes control of the meeting but Houston, as he did against the Warriors in the quarter final, hangs on with offensive rebounds and effort (75-69).
SGA finishes off the Rockets
Mark Daigneault's men continue their momentum. While Houston struggles to create easy baskets, the Thunder rolls out its basketball and three free throws from Isaiah Joe give them an 11-point lead (80-69). A 3-pointer from Alperen Sengun (13 points, 6/15 shooting, 11 rebounds), so far discreet, revives the Rockets but the return of Gilgeous-Alexander changes the situation. He provokes a foul from Brooks on a 3-point shot, then takes a winning shot, before offering another for Jalen Williams to knock out Houston (97-82)!
The Thunder will therefore meet the Bucks in the final of the second edition of this NBA Cup on the night of Tuesday to Wednesday.
WHAT TO REMEMBER
– A first half the antithesis of Las Vegas. Who says Las Vegas, says rhinestones and sequins, an over-the-top show, and sex appeal, here you go. For one half, the Thunder and the Rockets sent us to the opposite of all that with a physical and ultra defensive half. At the break, neither team passed the 34% shooting success mark and there were almost as many fouls (25) as baskets scored (30)!
– Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, pattern size. After a first half controlled by Houston, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander returned to the field and left his mark on the match. Only 3/12 on shots in the first 24 minutes, the Thunder star showed more patience to choose the best moments to attack the Texan defense. He scored 20 of his 32 points in the second half, but more than his points, it was his percussion that allowed OKC to impose its game. In his wake, the Thunder were able to chain “drive & kicks » and take open shots. Lu Dort then took the opportunity to make 4/4 from distance and the gap was created. the Rockets tried to come back when SGA was blowing on the bench but upon its return, OKC took off to head towards the final.
– The attack, again and again, the Achilles heel of the Rockets. Houston has all the tools and personnel to be one of the best defenses in the league. We've seen it since the start of the season and we saw it again last night. To reach the level of the Thunder, however, the Rockets need to progress in attack. In this semi-final, the difference was made in the second half, once Gilgeous-Alexander and OKC managed to establish their offensive game. Their process is fluid, their gaming identity is clear. Conversely, Houston is still looking for itself and against a defense as impermeable as that of the Thunder, that is unforgiving. They finished the match at 36.5% on shots, including 24% on 3-pointers. So this is the next step for the Rockets and in particular for the development of their young players, especially the trio Sengun – Green – Smith Jr.
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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.
