Nobody can cease the Thunder proper now, and the shorthanded Hornets have been no totally different.
Oklahoma Metropolis defeated Charlotte 106-94 to earn its tenth straight victory and stay undefeated in opposition to the East this season. Whereas the Thunder have been lacking just a few key items, Charlotte’s absences of LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller prevented the Hornets from making the sport aggressive.
Rapidly taking a double-digit lead within the first quarter, Oklahoma Metropolis remained in management all through their wire-to-wire victory. After main by 15 at halftime, the Thunder continued their momentum, main by as many as 20 within the third quarter.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was as soon as once more the Thunder’s main scorer, scoring 22 factors and making seven of his 9 photographs from contained in the arc.
Let’s assessment three classes we will study from yesterday’s recreation.
After retiring his highschool jersey at residence on Friday, Wiggins got here out and shined in his solely recreation at North Carolina this season. He scored eight of the Thunder’s first 12 factors and helped his group take a commanding lead within the opening minutes.
Wiggins completed the evening with 17 factors on 6-of-10 capturing, making three photographs from past the arc. He additionally completed with a game-high +18 in 33 minutes, his greatest enjoying time in a recreation this season.
His minutes complete made sense, contemplating the Thunder was shorthanded, with Wiggins making his ninth begin of the season and first since late November. Whereas his enjoying time steadily declined in December, Wiggins’ efficiency in Charlotte confirmed that he was nonetheless greater than able to making a big impression for the Thunder on any given evening.
Along with the accidents that paved the best way for Wiggins’ first begin in over a month, Mitchell additionally moved into the highest 5 to make his first profession begin. As with each different problem Mark Daigneault threw at him throughout his rookie season, Mitchell shined.
He completed the evening with 10 factors, 5 rebounds and 4 assists in 31 minutes. Regardless of the elevated ball-handling duties, Mitchell additionally completed with only one turnover.
Together with his ninth double-digit scoring recreation on Saturday, Mitchell frequently demonstrated his potential to seek out his footing and succeed when he steps on the court docket. As such a dependable participant after simply 30 profession video games, Mitchell has confirmed to be a key a part of the perfect group within the West.
All through the season, Oklahoma Metropolis’s decline from past the arc has been probably the most regarding development. After main the league in 3-point capturing share final season, the Thunder rank within the backside half of the league by means of the primary 30 video games in 2024-25.
On Saturday, the Thunder’s exterior capturing woes continued, making simply 10 of their 38 exterior photographs. Though the Thunder will probably must shoot higher to attain their championship objectives, their protection is greater than able to selecting up the slack.
Charlotte shot simply 11-of-34 from past the arc and 29-of-80 from the ground general. Additionally forcing 18 turnovers, the Thunder protection shut down Charlotte on an evening once they struggled to place up massive numbers on offense. Clearly the Thunder do not wish to have dangerous capturing nights, however so long as these nights are accompanied by a superb defensive efficiency, the Thunder needs to be in fine condition.
Not each convincing win might be flashy, and the Thunder have proven they will win in quite a lot of methods. With so many key gamers on each side in Charlotte, the Thunder merely took care of enterprise.
They are going to look to proceed their sizzling streak on Sunday once they host the Memphis Grizzlies on the second evening of a back-to-back.
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