With five wins in their last six games, Thunder and Nets were both on a very good dynamic before crossing swords tonight in Oklahoma.
Brooklyn got off to the best start, and even outright dominated their subject in the first half, but OKC took control of operations in the 3rd quarter, never to let go (121-107).
Author of 15 of his 24 points in the 3rd quarter, an excellent 5/7 from 3-pointers, Lu Dort provided the spark to revive the Thunder after returning from the locker room. The 3rd quarter was one-sided (38-20), with the Nets reduced to the bare minimum in attack, only 3 successful shots out of 16 attempts…
Well balanced in attack with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (35 points, 7 rebounds) in scoring, Josh Giddey in triple-double (15 points, 13 rebounds, 10 assists) and the very good rookie Jalen Williams in double-double (23 points, 10 rebounds), the Thunder logically imposed itself to stay in the race for the “play in” in the Western Conference.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
— The Thunder’s Imperial Third Quarter. Dropped at -16 in the first half, and again at -14 seconds from the break, the Thunder were able to find the right words in the locker room. The 3rd quarter was a butchery for the Nets, held at 3/16 on shots including 0/7 from 3-pointers and almost doubled in score (38-20). It’s very simple: between them, Lu Dort (15) and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (11 points) scored more than the entire Brooklyn team over the period. OKC has regained all its offensive pep like Lu Dort at 5/7 from 3-point and SGA at 5/6 on shots.
— Another triple-double for Josh Giddey. It’s not his best because of his shooting skills (7/19 only) but Josh Giddey scored another triple-double tonight, the fourth of his season. With 15 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists, the young Australian leader from OKC has indeed multiplied to supply his teammates with good balls and to push the game at every opportunity, after the defensive rebound assured.
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ Jalen Williams. Best evaluation of the match, Jalen Williams again delivered a very clean copy. With 23 points and 10 rebounds, all at 8/10 on shots, the Oklahoma City rookie was one of the major contributors to his team’s victory, with accuracy.
✅ Lu sleeps. Rather struggling with his outside shooting since February (around 26% only), he found the light this night. Author of an excellent 5/7 from 3-pointers in the only 3rd quarter, to overturn the match, Lu Dort finished at 24 points, equaling the best score of the season.
✅ Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. When he’s not in the infirmary treating minor ailments, SGA has become synonymous with a 30-point match. He proved it again last night with a performance of 35 units, plus 7 rebounds and 4 assists. Without ever having the impression of forcing 12/24 on shots.
✅ Mikal Bridges. Going from 17 to 26 points on average with his transfer from the Suns to the Nets, the winger has clearly become his team’s No. 1 option in attack. A status that the young player assumes rather well, like last night, with 34 points, 4 rebounds and 4 blocks. Only small problem, he ends up at a small 3/10 at 3-points…
✅⛔ Spencer Dinwiddie. Not varnished with only 6 free throws offered despite his multiple attempts at attacks in the circle, Spencer Dinwiddie had a rather complicated evening with a second game in a row at 30% shooting skill, 5/16 in this case. If he accumulates a double-double with 16 points and 11 assists, he also ends with 6 lost balls and a 0/4 at 3-points…
THE FOLLOWING
Brooklyn (39-30) : reception of the Kings this Thursday.
Oklahoma City (34-35) : trip to Toronto this Thursday.
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