Given the significance of this sport within the Western Convention desk, the Warriors begin off sturdy. They restrict the Thunder to eight/24 photographs, transfer the ball in assault, and the “Splash Brothers” rating 23 of their group’s 38 factors and take a 20-point lead (38-18)!
The Thunder’s protection is lastly slowing down Golden State, however aside from Jalen Williams’ quick baskets, Oklahoma Metropolis remains to be thrashing about half the court docket. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is muzzled and Mark Daigneault’s males return to the locker room at -15 (63-48).
Klay Thompson’s profitable shot retains the Warriors at +18, however Shai Gilgeous-Alexander begins on the lookout for an answer towards the Golden State protection. He scored 14 factors within the quarter, and Mike Muscali’s award-winning shot within the third quarter noticed the Thunder drop under ten (94-85). OKC confirms their streak by opening the quarter with three profitable photographs to return to -2 (100-98)!
Each time the Thunder bought again into possession, the Warriors responded. Klay Thompson, Jordan Poole and Stephen Curry went from 3-pointers to a break momentum whereas Draymond Inexperienced, Kevon Looney and Andrew Wiggins closed the door on the protection, permitting the Warriors to take their third straight win.
WHAT TO REMEMBER
Golden State’s dream first half. With rigorous protection, particularly towards Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, restricted to 1/8 within the first quarter and three/10 at halftime, the Warriors have been capable of run and discover a rhythm. As an alternative of firing fast photographs, they systematically overshot. On the finish of the primary quarter, that they had 15 assists for 15 baskets scored! They usually returned to the locker room with 21 assists on 23 photographs! This altruism allowed them to hit the goal from afar, with a pleasant 12/25 three-pointer within the first half.
“Thunder are again within the sport at their very own tempo. Very like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s leap within the second half, the Thunder knocked out the Warriors’ 21-point lead with out panicking or specializing in their sport plan. OKC, the group with extra targets within the league this season, continued to assault the wheel and the Warriors started fouling stretching to realize momentum.
– Three stops on protection to make a distinction. With the Thunder dropping to -2 with 4 minutes left and the ball tied, the Warriors picked up three excessive defensive positions. It began with Kevon Looney remoted on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander who managed to stick with him to counter him. The substitution resulted in a three-pointer for Jordan Poole. At the moment, it was Andrew Wiggins who got here in to counter Josh Giddey, adopted by Draymond Inexperienced who single-handedly worn out Gilgeous-Alexander and Giddey’s 2v1, permitting Curry to take a 3-point lead which gave Thunder an 8 and begin earning profits with some freedom.
TOPS/SLOPES
✅ Stephen Curry- Klay Thompson. “Splash Brothers” began with a bang and didn’t decelerate. Stephen Curry had 38 factors, 12 assists and eight rebounds, whereas Klay Thompson added 28 factors and seven rebounds. By the way, Curry dethrones Wilt Chamberlain within the rating of photographs fired in Warriors historical past.
✅ Draymond Inexperienced. Like his two buddies, he additionally had fond reminiscences of Oklahoma Metropolis, placing on a superb efficiency with 7 factors, 12 assists, 9 rebounds and a decisive defensive presence.
✅ Jalen WilliamsJosh Giddey. Each gamers are persevering with their nice season. Williams completed with 19 factors whereas the Australian blacked out the stats sheet with 21 factors, 8 rebounds, 6 assists and three steals.
✅ ⛔ Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The Thunder defender completed the sport with 31 factors and seven assists, however had solely 10/24 photographs. Excluding the third quarter, he was hampered by the Golden State protection.
⛔ Jordan Poole. The rear scored 15 factors, together with an essential late-game 3, however he additionally multiplied questionable choices through the Thunder’s comeback. He was additionally the defending goal of the Thunder all through the sport.
FOLLOWING
Golden state (26-24) : journey to Minnesota on Wednesday.
Oklahoma Metropolis (24-26): journey to Houston on Wednesday.
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