Two video games into the season, two blowouts. The 2024-25 marketing campaign is not even every week outdated, however a championship favourite has lived as much as the hype – after which some.
THE Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder scored a stress-free 114-95 victory over the Chicago Bulls. After this outing, it is sadly clear that the 2 groups are heading in reverse instructions on the NBA freeway.
A gradual begin saved the Thunder from getting away on the scoreboard early. Paying tribute to OU’s offense, OKC solely had a 26-21 lead. The second quarter seemed a lot better. A 33-point body led the Thunder to a 59-39 halftime benefit. OKC’s 22-3 run to shut the primary half basically sealed the end result.
The second half was a lot the identical. The Bulls by no means severely threatened a comeback, save for a brief sizzling streak from Zach LaVine. The Thunder entered the fourth quarter with an 88-65 lead, making the fourth quarter inconsequential.
The Thunder shot 42% from the sphere and went 8 of 40 (20%) from 3. They’d 21 assists on 45 subject objectives. They’d three 20+ level scorers to paved the way. On protection, that they had 15 steals and compelled 26 turnovers.
The OKC trio every had monster nights. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 23 factors. Jalen Williams recorded a triple-double of practically 24 factors. In the meantime, Chet Holmgren had a 21-point double-double.
In the meantime, the Bulls struggled to attain one night time after a 133-point regulation outing – fairly a juxtaposition in a row. They shot 35% from the sphere and made 15 of 53 (28.3%) from 3. They’d 23 assists on 32 subject objectives. Three Bulls gamers scored double-digit factors.
In his first recreation in opposition to his former group, Josh Giddey had 14 factors, seven rebounds and 4 assists. LaVine completed with 22 factors and 9 rebounds. Nikola Vucevic recorded 18 factors and 13 rebounds. Coby White was held to 9 factors on 12 pictures.
This might need been a snoozefest for the typical fan, however that is the kind of manufacturing {that a} title contender produces. The Thunder entered as heavy favorites, however did not permit that to lull them right into a slumbering outing. They took care of enterprise and have been rewarded with additional relaxation — an particularly essential present contemplating OKC is on a back-to-back spherical journey.
Let’s take a look at the Thunder participant scores:
Chet Holmgren: A+
What a distinction a 12 months could make. In his long-awaited debut final season, Holmgren seemed pedestrian in opposition to the Bulls. This season, he returned to Chicago and left his fingerprints throughout this lopsided victory.
Holmgren completed with 21 factors on 8-of-18 capturing, 16 rebounds and two blocks. Boards of Administrators reached a profession excessive. He’s now 2-for-2 in double-doubles this season.
The surface shot hasn’t fallen but – it went 0 for five – however the aggressiveness of the objective has multiplied. When the ball reached his arms, Holmgren rushed to attain. As a curler, he had some spectacular finishes within the paint, together with a lob from Williams.
It is solely been two video games, however Holmgren appears like a special participant. The additional offensive freedoms have paid off thus far. The 22-year-old’s rating at all times needed to meet up with his protection, however the hole progressively narrowed.
Jalen Williams: One
After an unforgettable first match, Williams appeared a lot sharper. He completed with 24 factors on 10-of-22 capturing, 9 rebounds and eight assists. He shot 1 of 4 from 3 and three of three from the free throw line.
The midrange dropped for Williams. He discovered a rhythm within the center quarters. The 23-year-old closed out the primary half with a fadeaway jumper within the remaining seconds. Aggression continues to be encouraging. He solely performed in two video games final season during which he made greater than 22 shot makes an attempt. Crossing this milestone midway is already a optimistic signal.
The Thunder will want this model of Williams extra typically. They do higher when their second-leading scorer is not afraid to take shot makes an attempt. The Bulls have been the proper play to make use of and that is what he did.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: B-minus
The sweater simply did not fall off. After an 0-of-5 begin, Gilgeous-Alexander had an unusually troublesome time scoring. The 26-year-old often will get off to a great begin. However the emphasis on extra outdoors capturing has damage his excellent effectivity by two video games.
Nevertheless, this stays the proper mindset to undertake in the long run. This was the most effective setting to experiment as a result of the Thunder might have performed poorly and escaped with a victory in opposition to the Bulls.
However after the chilly begin, Gilgeous-Alexander turned the driving force of the basket once more. This rapidly resulted in buckets. He completed with 23 factors on 9-of-21 capturing, eight rebounds, 4 steals and two assists. He shot 2 of 9 from 3.
Oddly sufficient, the Thunder struggled from outdoors within the first two video games. After main the league in 3-point proportion final season, they have been colder than Alaska thus far. It will absolutely change sooner or later. As soon as his outdoors pictures are profitable, Gilgeous-Alexander also needs to be on his technique to 30-plus factors.
Alex Caruso: B
As he entered the sport, Caruso obtained a loud ovation from the Bulls crowd. This victory marks his anticipated return to Chicago after three seasons. He was shipped to the Thunder for Giddey.
The stats aren’t apparent, however Caruso has been a menace on protection. Like a headless hen, the thirty-year-old has been in all places. He’s a strolling magnet for the basket and crosses the court docket to the place he’s. He completed with three factors, two rebounds, two assists, two steals and two blocks.
It is shocking to see Caruso not begin both of the primary two video games. As a substitute, Cason Wallace acquired the beginning. The belief was that the 30-year-old would slide simply into the starters – particularly as soon as Isaiah Hartenstein suffered a damaged hand.
However alas, Daigneault saved the NBA on its toes. It will likely be attention-grabbing to see how for much longer the Thunder deal with the fifth beginning spot like a revolving door. That is an unorthodox technique. Perhaps they deal with him like a bullpen. Or extra seemingly, Caruso will grow to be a daily eventually.
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This text was initially revealed on OKC Thunder Wire: Participant Scores: Thunder tames Bulls with 114-95 win
