Oklahoma Metropolis enters Thursday’s Recreation 3 of its first-round Western Convention collection in opposition to the Memphis Grizzlies with a cushty 2-0 lead.
Comfy as within the two Thunder victories have come by 51 and 19 factors.
And comfy as in Oklahoma Metropolis has simply gained each video games regardless of less-than-stellar performances from MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
When the collection shifts to Memphis for Video games 3 and 4, Gilgeous-Alexander will try to regain the shape that simply carried the Thunder to the Western Convention’s finest report.
Within the collection opener — a 131-80 OKC victory — Gilgeous-Alexander scored a season-low 15 factors on 4-of-13 capturing. In Recreation 2, Alexander scored 27 factors, however made solely 10 of 29 pictures. That included simply three of his 10 3-point tries.
It has been irritating for Gilgeous-Alexander, however he is grateful the Thunder’s expertise, depth and defensive prowess has made up for his struggles.
“I really feel like I am getting seems to be that I normally make, simply lacking them, that is a part of basketball,” he stated. “As a result of my workforce is actually good, we have gained two video games by an honest margin. They’ve had my again the final two nights.”
In Recreation 1, Aaron Wiggins had 21 factors and Jalen Williams scored 20, whereas Chet Holmgren contributed 19 factors, 10 rebounds and two blocks. In Recreation 2, Williams had 24 factors and Holmgren added 20 factors, 11 rebounds and 5 blocks.
Oklahoma Metropolis has dominated because of its trademark suffocating protection. The Thunder held Memphis to 34 p.c capturing within the opener and compelled 24 turnovers. In Recreation 2, it was extra of the identical. The Thunder restricted Memphis to 17 first-quarter factors and compelled the Grizzlies to overlook their first 10 pictures.
And it was that protection, and offensive rebounding, that allowed the Thunder to face up to a powerful third quarter by the Grizzlies. Oklahoma Metropolis completed with 16 offensive rebounds in Recreation 2.
“Our protection stayed with it,” stated Thunder coach Mark Daigneault. “We nonetheless stacked stops regardless of not an incredible capturing half and never a number of straightforward stuff. Our perseverance within the third quarter, simply to grind by means of that quarter and (get offensive rebounds). We simply manufactured second-half offense to win.”
Memphis interim coach Tuomas Iisalo witnessed a greater efficiency from his workforce, however not one able to overcoming the top-seeded Thunder. Memphis by no means led in Recreation 2.
“Not a lot modified between the video games,” Iisalo stated. “They managed the offensive boards and had been in a position to generate turnovers from us, which suggests it’s extremely tough to run.
“They get live-ball turnovers, which is the scenario that produces probably the most anticipated factors.”
One encouraging signal for the Grizzlies was the improved play of ahead Jaren Jackson Jr., who completed with 26 factors on 10-of-17 capturing in Recreation 2. Jackson managed however 4 factors on 2-of-13 capturing in Recreation 1.
“I believe I used to be simply extra aggressive,” Jackson stated. “I simply learn the protection in a different way than I did in Recreation 1. I did not simply permit myself to be doubled or tripled.”
Grizzlies star guard Ja Morant backed Jackson with 23 factors and helped the Grizzlies trim an 18-point halftime deficit to single digits within the third quarter.
“I really feel like we had slightly extra stream and extra ball motion,” Morant stated of the third quarter. “The passes had been on time and on track. Guys had been entering into it with some rhythm and began flattening pictures.”
–Discipline Degree Media