The Thunder have to work against the crazy scoring Hawks

Closer success than intended for Thunder facing Hawks. While the latter were presented without three starters (Trey Young, Jaylen Johnson and Kristaps Porzingis), the current champion had to fight until the last moments to leave with the victory (140-129).

The local “Big Three” provided solid statistical production, with 39 points for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander24 points and 9 rebounds for Chet Holmgren and 20 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists for Jalen Williams. Not to mention key contributions from “role players” Cason Wallace or Alex Caruso.

This was necessary to respond to the address posted by the team across the street, with a Nickeil Alexander-Walker (30 points) in great shape, just like Onyeka Okongwu (26 points and 14 rebounds), who long thought he could play a bad trick in OKC.

The hawks are holding on

On a cloud of 3 points, the guests were catching the opposing defense for at least two quarters. Result: 74 points scored at the break (70-74). Only the Hawks negotiated the restart poorly, conceding a 12-0 run that would have ended their momentum.

Behind the inspired “SGA” with their backs turned in the circle in their quarter of the field, the home team took ten points ahead. But the opposite team, led by the Canadian cousin, did not give up and continued to hold on.

Alex Caruso scored a three-pointer? Nikhil Alexander-Walker returned a shot for a shot and returned Atlanta to two possessions with four minutes left (132-128). But the trap will be forgotten with another pass setup from “SGA” to Cason Wallace and a decisive interception by Alex Caruso to find Chet Holmgren for a dunk. Thunder won again, but not without trepidation.

WHAT TO REMEMBER

– Hawks on a 3-point cloud. Already one of the very good teams in the league from behind the arc, Atlanta has long made the Thunder suspicious thanks to this address. With 25 game-winning points (on 54 shots), including Zachary Rizacher’s 4/8 from distance, the Hawks had their most prolific night of the season in terms of conversions and shots attempted. In total, the two teams attempted 86 game-winning shots, with the Thunder more active (70-36 points in the paint). It was the fifth time this season that Quin Snyder’s men have reached or surpassed the 20-point 3-point mark. With… the 4th defeat at the finish line.

– The cousin is not afraid. In the absence of several starters, Nikhil Alexander-Walker, who has been changing the top five and the bench lately with the return of Trae Young, seemed to be the first option in the Hawks’ offense. And he showed no timidity in the matter in front of “SGA”, finishing with 30 points and the same amount of shots as the latter (24 attempts). A symbol of his big match, this “buzzer” sent at the end of the first quarter with… his left, weak hand.

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– Atlanta is soon out of the game. The face the Hawks show would almost make you forget they are in crisis. With this 7th straight loss, the Atlanta Braves (15w-19d) are just one win ahead of the Bucks (14w-19d) who are currently 11th in the East and have just recovered Giannis Antetokounmpo. The bad news is, first of all, that the Hawks, who are certainly more comfortable away from home, see their schedule become more difficult with seven times in the next nine games against the teams with the best dynamics.

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How to read statistics? Min = Minute; Shots = Shots Successful / Shots Attempted; 3 points = 3 points / attempt 3 points; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive jump; T = Total number of jumps; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal mistakes; Int = intercepts; Bp = lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Difference of points when the player is on the field; Points = Points; Rating: player rating calculated based on positive actions – negative actions.