OKLAHOMA CITY — Working within the close to midrange zone, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander battled via defenders to splash within the turnaround brief jumper. It took over three minutes, however OKC was lastly on the board. From there, they performed just like the title contenders they’ve been all season.
THE Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder dominated the exhausted Memphis Grizzlies in a 130-106 victory. The conflict between the 2 greatest groups within the Western Convention misplaced its aura when the latter discovered itself disadvantaged of its greatest participant.
Though it wasn’t an official wire-to-wire victory, there was the identical power connected to it. The Grizzlies scored the primary 9 factors, then the Thunder flipped the change. They turned issues round and held a 34-31 lead after the primary quarter.
The Grizzlies’ lack of scorers in the end value them within the second quarter. The Thunder’s gorgeous 42-19 benefit within the second body turned this into pure comedy. OKC held a 76-50 lead at halftime.
The second half was just about the identical story. The Thunder scored 26 factors within the third quarter and entered the ultimate quarter with a 102-73 benefit. Gilgeous-Alexander capped a monster night time with a buzzer-beater. The fourth district has turn into pedestrianized. OKC led by 31 factors.
The Thunder shot 51% from the sphere and made 14 of 44 (31.8%) from 3. They made 12 of 12 from the free throw line. They’d a file 35 assists on 52 baskets. Seven Thunder gamers scored double-digit factors.
Gilgeous-Alexander completed with 35 factors and 7 assists. Jalen Williams had a triple-double of almost 14 factors. Isaiah Hartenstein additionally nearly achieved this feat with 12 factors. Coming off the bench, OKC noticed a few of its greatest manufacturing.
Ajay Mitchell scored 17 factors and Aaron Wiggins scored 16 factors. Kenrich Williams completed with 12 factors and Isaiah Joe got here out of his funk with 11 factors.
In the meantime, the shorthanded Grizzlies shot 38 p.c from the sphere and made 14 of 51 (27.5 p.c) from 3. They made 18 of 21 from the free throw line. They made 30 assists on 37 baskets. Six Grizzlies gamers scored double-digit factors.
Desmone Bane had 22 factors, 9 rebounds and 4 assists. Jaren Jackson Jr. had 13 factors on 3-of-17 taking pictures, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. Jay Huff scored 17 factors and Luke Kennard had 16 factors and 5 rebounds off the bench.
In addition to Ja Morant, the Grizzlies had been additionally with out Marcus Good and Zach Edey. The latter was deserted late as a consequence of concussion protocol. Santi Aldama and Brandon Clarke had been additionally absent. All 5 began for Memphis.
This did not flip into the heavyweight combat many had been hoping for, however that is out of the Thunder’s management. OKC rolled Memphis and added one other cushion to its lead for the highest seed. He has now received 11 straight and has a franchise file of 26-5 to begin his 12 months.
Let’s take a look at the Thunder participant rankings:
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: A-plus
Swinging the basketball again as if it was the top of recess, Gilgeous-Alexander paid no consideration to the clock. As an alternative, he casually drove to the basket and scored on an under-the-radar layup to beat the third-quarter buzzer and provides OKC a 29-point benefit.
It was as dominant a efficiency as Gilgeous-Alexander has had this season. He completed with 35 factors on 14-of-19 taking pictures, seven assists, six rebounds and 4 blocks. He shot 1 of 5 from 3 and made 6 of 6 from the free throw line.
Gilgeous-Alexander was fully dominated all through his efficiency. He did not have a shift disaster. He scored 11 factors within the first quarter then 12 factors within the second quarter. Popping out of the break, he stepped on the neck of the Grizzlies once more with 12 factors. Memphis held it scoreless within the fourth quarter, however that was out of mercy on OKC’s half because it solely logged two minutes earlier than pulling away.
The MVP buzz continues to develop. It was Nikola Jokic’s reward for shedding within the first third of the season, however an 11-game profitable streak catapulted Gilgeous-Alexander into second place. At this charge, he ought to usurp the three-time MVP winner at any time.
Jalen Williams: B+
Working to begin the counterattack, Williams obtained Hartenstein’s lengthy move and accelerated up the sphere. He jumped off the ground and completed by contact a Huff contest for the loud jam. Touchdown within the entrance row of followers, he celebrated the depraved transition basket with high-fives.
Though it wasn’t a dominant outing, Williams contributed in different methods to the resounding victory. He completed with 14 factors on 7-of-16 taking pictures, 10 rebounds and eight assists. He shot 0 of 5 from 3.
After enjoying a number of shut video games, it was a pleasant break for the Thunder. Williams performed only one minute within the fourth quarter earlier than sitting out. The Grizzlies had been no match towards OKC with out their greatest participant and supporting solid.
Isaiah Hartenstein: B
Utilizing the additional area the Grizzlies offered Hartenstein on the high of the important thing, the seven-footer remained affected person with the basketball till bouncing it off Lu Dort for his solely 3-pointer. Slouching on the perimeter towards him was a failed try for Memphis.
Hartenstein completed with 12 factors on 6-of-13 taking pictures, 9 rebounds, six assists and three blocks. He shot 0 of two from 3. The close to triple-double was sufficient to surpass Jackson Jr.
If opposing groups wish to problem Hartenstein to shoot from the surface, his sport can present an alternative choice to easy 3-point makes an attempt. He confirmed it a number of occasions towards the Grizzlies with cutters and pindowns.
Ajay Mitchell: One
Whereas the Thunder bench struggled to generate offense, Mitchell was an oasis in a desert. The 22-year-old has seen his significance skyrocket from being third-string participant to being a backup playmaker for a title contender.
Mitchell completed with 17 factors on 6-of-11 taking pictures and three assists. He shot 3 of 5 from 3 and made 2 of two from the free throw line. The depleted Grizzlies could not decelerate the two-way rookie.
Occupied with the place the Thunder can be with out Mitchel ought to ship chills down the spines of the fan base. He was an surprising addition to their second unit lineups. That is OKC’s newest draft success story, as a second-round rookie earns a rotation spot for one of many league’s greatest groups.
Highlights:
This text was initially revealed on OKC Thunder Wire: Participant Scores: Thunder eradicate Morant-less Grizzlies in 130-106 win
