The Thunder did not have to force their talent to leave North Carolina with their 25th victory of the season. Faced with an eye-catching Hornets but once again too limited over time against this type of team, the Gilgeous-Alexander – Williams – Hartenstein trio and its slew of lieutenants did what was necessary to take the lead and keep the locals at bay until the end.
The Thunder tried to kill the match in the first act after a 10-2 marked by 3-pointers from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Aaron Wiggins (7-19). Tidjane Salaün's two baskets, including a 3-pointer from downtown at the buzzer of the first quarter (22-28), helped revive the locals who then returned to -3 following outside baskets from Miles Bridges and Vasilije Micic (33-36). Charlotte held on for a few minutes before diving back before the break, between a new 10-2 and the two 3-point baskets from Aaron Wiggins and Jaylin Williams, X factors of the first half (at 3/4 each from a distance ) to put Oklahoma City back at +15 (46-61).
After a sluggish first half (2/8 shooting), Jalen Williams rectified the situation upon returning from the locker room by scoring three of his team's four baskets in the third quarter, including a 2+1 and a dunk in transition. Twice each, Isaiah Hartenstein and SGA then hit the nail on the head by increasing the gap to 20 lengths on an “and one” from SGA (68-88).
Charlotte could have given up there, but the Micic-Bridges tandem made a point of finishing well, first bringing the Hornets to -11 at the start of the fourth quarter then with a few brilliant shots to fuel a 10 -2 (94-104). Isaiah Wong even had the opportunity to bring his team to -7 two minutes from the end on an attempt from distance. Unsurprisingly, it was ultimately the Thunder who secured the victory, 106 to 94.
WHAT TO REMEMBER
– OKC received 10/10. Beaten in the NBA Cup final in mid-December, Mark Daigneault's men did not suffer the repercussions of the defeat against the Bucks. On the contrary, they tended to widen the gap with the competition in the west over the past month with a tenth consecutive victory in the regular season acquired last night. The best way to prepare this evening for the reception of his runner-up Memphis, who will be deprived of Ja Morant, Marcus Smart and Santi Aldama.
– SGA managed. OKC’s “go-to-guy” remained in two XXL games with more than 40 points. He did not need to reach such marks this night, settling for 22 points with a small 1/6 at 3-points, 6 assists for as many lost balls. He even missed a free throw, which hadn't happened to him since the NBA Cup final.
– The “French Corner”. The “Frenchies” did not really shine in this match, between Ousmane Dieng's zero points in 7 minutes of play and that of Moussa Diabaté who compensated with 3 rebounds, 2 interceptions and 1 assist in 14 minutes. Only Tidjane Salaün showed himself a little more, with his 3/10 shooting to finish with 9 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block and 1 interception in 31 minutes, his third longest playing time of the season , motivated by the absence of Brandon Miller.
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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.