It’s the Raptors’ turn to get a win in Oklahoma City!

Six weeks ago, OKC had just one loss and was a contender to win Historical record of warriors (73-9d). A month and a half later, the Thunder are now on a ten-game losing streak after losing in quick succession at home. facing Indiana then toronto tonight! The reigning champion was never able to break free from the Canadian embrace and was finally broken by two flashes of genius from Immanuel Quickley and two decisive actions from Scotty Barnes.

First it took the skilful Luguentz Dort from long range to respond to Immanuel Quickley’s fiery start. Usman Dieng and Aaron Wiggins hit threes of their own to keep OKC ahead at the 12-minute mark (30-25). Toronto then did better than resisted, relying on notable passages of the Barrett-Ingram-Mamukelashvili triple to take the lead at the end of the second quarter, which was concluded by a three-pointer by Immanuel Quickley (50-54).

The Thunder will have to roll up their sleeves to reverse the trend, and of course they could count on their MVP to get the job done. The OKC leader first served Aaron Wiggins and then Jaylin Williams for two 3-point baskets, which brought Mark Daign’s team back into the game (58-59). SGA then scored 8 points, including a brilliant counterattack, to put the home team back in the lead (68-66). 2+1 by Lugentz Dort and two new baskets by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander allowed the Thunder to stay ahead 12 minutes into the game (81-79).

The more the match went on, the more Toronto could legitimately believe in their chances. Ochai Agbaji answered Chet Holmgren twice in the air, and then it was Kenrich Williams’ turn to answer after an Immanuel Quickley 3-pointer. Even at +6 after four new points by Kenrich Williams, Toronto continued to believe in it, relying on the Walter-Barnes-Mamukelashvili triple to stay in touch (96-95).

Everything finally changed in favor of the Raptors when Immanuel Quickley showed incredible composure and made two 3-point baskets in quick succession, almost from the same spot (97-101). The death blow then came from Scotty Barnes, who peeled away and blocked Chet Holmgren, then grabbed the offensive rebound in a 99-101 game, allowing Quickley to hit two shots for the win (101-103). With their fourth win in a row, Toronto continues to hold third place in the East.

WHAT TO REMEMBER

Quickley-Barnes, the winning card. Even without the dominance, OKC was hoping for a win, but the Quickley-Burns duo ultimately decided otherwise. Both weighed their weight in this “money time”, between two 3-point baskets by Immanuel Quickley that iced the Paycom Center, but also his two key throws afterwards. Scotty Barnes was heroic by jumping high enough to get Chet Holmgren’s rebound and then pulling back to grab the game-tying offensive rebound while Jamal Sheed just made 0/2 shooting at 99-101…Thunder are going to have nightmares!

Ousmane Dieng makes an appearance. The Frenchman made some interesting moves from the bench. His best pass was undoubtedly the start of the fourth quarter, when he was able to serve up Chet Holmgren twice, including a lobbed pass for a fierce inside shot. He did it again with a 200 pass on the clock that ended up hitting Kenrich Williams, finishing with 4 assists, his best total of the season (with 3 points and 2 rebounds).

OKC is also reduced. The Thunder have also been plagued by injuries. The absences of Jalen Williams and Isaiah Hartenstein logically affect the team’s performance, which currently has to cope without Ajay Mitchell (abs), Alex Caruso (adductor). To make matters worse, Cason Wallace had to leave his teammates during the match, injured in the groin. CHe’s starting to do a lot, even for a team of OKC’s caliber.

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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.