Hit in the left foot, Zion Williamson was not dressed for this Thunder reception. The Pelicans quickly saw the difference. Even though they won the first quarter by two points, they struggled to find the path to the basket. It's even worse in the second quarter where we add the lost balls, transformed into ammunition for Oklahoma City, and the clumsiness at 3-points (41-50).
It takes thirty minutes for CJ McCollum and his gang to surpass the 50 point mark… The back is also the only player who is a little restless, but the efficiency is not there. Before the last quarter, the gap is well established between the two teams (64-77).
No miracle in the last act. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander accumulates the points, Chet Holmgren does damage with his activity and the Thunder logically wins 83-107 after an unspectacular meeting, weighed down by too much technical waste. But the main thing is elsewhere: Oklahoma City wins a fifth game in a row and remains at the top of the Western Conference (32 wins – 13 losses), tied with Minnesota.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– Pelicans without wings. The uninhibited attack seen in recent days with Zion Williamson did not exist. Without the interior, the Pelicans had no idea, no efficiency, no energy. Everything was hard, and the numbers prove it: 39% shooting success, 9/36 at 3-points, 20 lost balls… In the first half, the Thunder delighted in these stolen balls transformed into points in transition . If Mark Daigneault's players weren't extraordinary either, they were better in all areas.
– The presence of Chet Holmgren. The rookie delivered a very good game, facing a client in the person of Jonas Valanciunas. Present on the rebound and in defense, he also distinguished himself in attack with well-executed one-on-one sequences. He finished with 20 points, 13 rebounds and 2 blocks in 30 minutes.
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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.
