Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder may boast the league’s finest file and strongest analytics, however that doesn’t change the stakes forward. Their season now hinges on Sport 7 after failing to shut out the Denver Nuggets in Sport 6, the place Denver responded with a 119-107 victory to even the second-round collection.
This collection has showcased a showdown between the highest two MVP-candidates in Nikola Jokic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Whereas Gilgeous-Alexander seems to be the frontrunner for this 12 months’s MVP, his focus stays locked on the duty forward. After Thursday night time’s loss in Denver, he emphasised the significance of Sport 7 and what’s at stake for the Thunder.
“It is do or die. It is what you reside for. It is what you’re employed your complete life in the direction of,” mentioned the Thunder celebrity throughout his post-game interview.
Sport 7s are a special beast altogether. They’re intense and unpredictable — a mix of stress and alternative. Uncommon and dramatic, they convey out each the agony and the great thing about competitors.
Gilgeous-Alexander tallied 32 factors and 6 assists in Sport 6, however he acquired in early foul bother and didn’t get a lot help from the remainder of the roster. Jalen Williams struggled to search out his rhythm, capturing simply three of 16 from the sphere.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder play higher at house
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The Thunder has regarded extra comfortable enjoying on its house courtroom all through the collection. Regardless of dropping Sport 1, Oklahoma Metropolis held the lead for almost three quarters. Sport 2 was a dominant displaying, with the Thunder controlling the sport from begin to end and constructing a lead as giant as 49 factors. In Sport 5, they closed sturdy, outscoring the Nuggets 34-19 within the closing quarter.
At house on this collection, the Thunder is capturing a powerful 49.1% from the sphere and 39.8% from three-point vary. On the highway, these numbers dip considerably to 42.3% total and simply 25.7% from deep. Nonetheless, every part modifications in a Sport 7 — the place the stakes are increased and previous traits typically imply little.
OKC’s final Sport 7 happened within the Orlando bubble — and whereas that Thunder roster regarded nothing like at the moment’s squad, the chaos of that recreation nonetheless serves as a warning. The Rockets escaped with a win not due to James Harden’s offense, however his protection. Luguentz Dort, surprisingly, led all scorers.
There’s encouraging information for the Thunder as two present gamers have been a part of that bubble Sport 7 expertise. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Luguentz Dort performed vital roles in that matchup and got here away with priceless expertise. It might have taken place within the bubble, however the stakes and stress have been simply as intense.
Throughout the common season, the Thunder and Nuggets every gained two video games towards each other, together with splitting a back-to-back collection in Oklahoma Metropolis.
The winner of Sunday’s Sport 7 in Oklahoma Metropolis will advance to the Western Convention Finals towards the Minnesota Timberwolves. However neither Jokic and Gilgeous-Alexander’s going to again down, with the sport tipping off at 3:30 p.m. EST.