The Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder put forth a supreme effort on the entrance finish of a back-to-back set, and they’re going to look to play simply as properly on the second aspect once they go to the Dallas Mavericks on Friday night time.
Oklahoma Metropolis dismantled the visiting Cavaliers 134-114 on Thursday night time and now shares one of the best file (34-6) within the league with Cleveland.
The Thunder led the one-sided nationally televised contest by 42 factors within the third quarter earlier than calling off the assault.
Oklahoma Metropolis celebrity Shai Gilgeous-Alexander wasn’t overly impressed with the whipping.
“It was an excellent efficiency. We did the issues we have been presupposed to do,” Gilgeous-Alexander mentioned. “However for us, it was simply one other night time of basketball, one other night time of competing collectively and letting the chips fall the place they might be. It was nothing particular. It simply occurred to be on TV. … The result was the result.”
Gilgeous-Alexander had 40 factors and eight assists. It marked his fifth outing of 40 or extra this season.
Thunder coach Mark Daigneault was requested if Gilgeous-Alexander was sending a message with the membership getting a uncommon alternative to be on the nationwide stage.
“No, he simply seemed the identical,” Daigneault mentioned. “That is why he is so good. He is like that each night time.”
Luguentz Dort additionally starred by establishing a season excessive with 22 factors, sinking six 3-pointers and serving because the defensive chief on an evening when the Thunder held Cavaliers star Donovan Mitchell to eight factors on 3-of-15 taking pictures.
The Thunder have received 4 straight video games and 19 of 20. The NBA Cup remaining on Dec. 17, once they misplaced to the Milwaukee Bucks, does not depend as a regular-season contest.
The Mavericks, in the meantime, have been plagued by accidents and have misplaced three straight video games and eight of their previous 10.
Luka Doncic has missed the previous 11 video games with a left calf pressure, and Dallas is 3-8 with out the participant who completed third in MVP voting final season. Doncic has performed in simply 22 video games this season.
Kyrie Irving (again) has missed seven of the previous 9 video games, together with Dallas’ 119-116 street loss to the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday. He’s listed as questionable for the Friday sport.
Mavericks huge man Dereck Energetic II (ankle) will sit out for the second straight sport.
Daniel Gafford softened the blow of dropping Energetic by scoring a career-best 27 factors on 12-of-13 taking pictures at New Orleans. He additionally collected 12 rebounds for his third double-double of the season.
Jaden Hardy added 21 factors off the bench for the Mavericks, and Spencer Dinwiddie contributed 20.
Regardless of the latest swoon, Dallas is three video games over .500 on the midway level of its schedule and is feeling optimistic.
“You possibly can’t actually give us a grade,” Dinwiddie mentioned. “I do know followers are most likely up and down each sport proper now, however on the finish of the day now we have lofty targets when wholesome. Accidents aren’t an excuse. You bought to go on the market and battle and struggle and put together, and also you see guys step up each night time in several roles each night time, which is difficult in and of itself.
“However it’s an incomplete grade. Till you get wholesome and work out which 9 (gamers) are going to be enjoying, what roles are they actually going to have, string collectively 20 video games, then you definitely’ll know what you actually have. We predict now we have one thing nice. We do not know.”
Mavericks coach Jason Kidd expressed related sentiments.
“Play has been actually good,” Kidd mentioned. “Well being has been poor, so you have obtained a next-man-up mentality. We’re placing ourselves in place to win video games. After we’re wholesome, we really consider we’re among the finest groups within the league.”
The groups break up this season’s first two conferences. Dallas notched a 121-119 street victory on Nov. 17 with out Doncic, and Oklahoma Metropolis registered 118-104 residence win on Dec. 10. Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 37.5 factors within the two video games.
–Discipline Degree Media