OKC knew that the mission would be anything but easy. After losing at home against Dallas, Mark Daigneault's men had to revive on the prosecution of a valiant training in Portland which remained on four victories in a row. Despite the absence of Deandre Ayton, the Blazers gave a hard time to the leader of the Western Conference, with in particular a henderson-Avdija-Camara trident, even if the Thunder of the duo Williams-Gilgeous-Alexander knew Do what is necessary to win.
OKC first returned from the canon departure from the premises, launched by the two 3-point baskets from Toumani Camara, that of Deni Avdija then of Scoot Henderson (10-20). Jalen Williams scored twice to describe his family, and it was an 11-2 that followed, a sequence concluded by the Dunk of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (27-27). The washed affront, the Thunder then deployed its war machine to take off. Everyone has participated, be it the two Isaiah (Joe and Hartenstein), Ousmane Dieng on two baskets in a row, Jalen Williams and of course the inevitable SGA to conclude this new highlight, a 16-5, of a 3-time basket this time, enough to relegate Portland to 19 points (38-57)!
Hartenstein whistles the end of the game
The Simons-Camara-Avdija trio continued to drop the rain from afar to the break (53-66) and tried to maintain the pressure in third quarter under the impetus of a breathtaking Toumani Camara. Shaedon Sharpe and Scoot Henderson took over at the end of the period with two new 3-point baskets, which was not enough to make the Thunder vacillate 12 minutes from the end (78-93).
The threat, however, approached in a last act started by a 10-0 in favor of Portland, returning to -5 (88-93). But the Thunder quickly reacted, with the composure of Jaylen Williams and the exterior address of Cason Wallace, SGA then Alex Caruso (90-105). Scoot Henderson twice then Deni Avdija and Anfernee Simons maintained hope with 3-point shots to reduce the gap again (104-110). Isaiah Hartenstein then whistled the end of the recess with a left hand hook then a dunk on a perfect pass from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The latter then was responsible for closing the show with a lay-up and the last two throws to ensure victory (118-108).
What to remember
One series stops, the other continues. Hard hard for Portland, who had managed to garner four success of rank before this match and who did not deserve even if OKC kept good without trembling too much. It was the biggest Blazers series this season. Another sad series continues on the other hand for men of Chauncey Billups since it is the 15th consecutive defeat of the Oregon franchise against the Thunder. Portland's last victory over OKC dates back to April 2021!
Toumani Camara gave everything. The Belgian made his best career match, signing 25 points with an impressive address as evidenced by his 5/5 to 3-point to accompany his 9 rebounds and 4 assists. In view of the missed matches of Shaedon Sharpe and Jerami Grant, but also of the discreet performance of Anfernee Simons, the Blazers would almost have enough to feed regrets.
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How to read the stats? Min = minutes; Shots = successful shots / tempted shots; 3pts = 3-point / 3-point attempted; LF = Successful free throws / tempted free throws; O = offensive rebound; D = defensive rebound; T = total rebounds; PD = assists; FTE: Personal faults; Int = interceptions; BP = lost bullets; CT: against; +/- = Differential points when the player is on the field; Pts = points; EVAL: evaluation of the player calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
