Shai Gilgeous-Alexander pulls out all the stops in Memphis

Impressively calm, Thunder got their 10th win of the season with a 114-100 victory on the Grizzlies’ floor with two faces.

Because even trailing by 19 points, Marc Dagneault’s men did not give in to panic and gradually closed the gap to take the lead and maintain control until the end, carried by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander who sent the Wells-Coward duo back to school with his 35 points, 6 rebounds, 7 assists.

Still, there were better things on the Memphis side. On the momentum of theirs success against the MavericksThe Grizzlies took a 14-2 lead at the end of the first quarter, a run capped by two 3-pointers from Cedric Coward (33-25). Jock Landale twice and Cam Spencer joined the party, until Memphis dropped OKC to -19, with two new arrows behind the arc signing Jaren Jackson Jr and… Cedric Coward (56-37).

OKC saved the furniture before the break, thanks to the answer of Isaiah Joe, the author of two baskets for 3 points, then 2+1 of SGA and Cason Wallace (62-51). And then the current champion whistled at the end of the break…

First it was a 10-0 run to get back level with the Grizzlies, then a 12-4 run to end the quarter and regain the lead (80-85), with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander dominating each run. Alex Caruso capped off the show with a 3-pointer with one second left in the period on a great layup by Ajay Mitchell.

Memphis just missed their chance, especially after falling back to -1 thanks to threes by the Konchar-Caldwell-Pope pair, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Ja Morant missed their slim chances to stay in touch. SGA pushed them quickly, with a triple on Jalen Wells, then a second on Cedric Coward before going 2+1 (96-108). In an instant, the Thunder settled the matter and won (100-114).

WHAT TO REMEMBER

– SGA sample size. Thirteen points in the third quarter and an amazing “time on the money” tight end, with the first 3-pointer on Jalen Wells’ head, the second on Cedric Coward, and then the offense ended on a foul… in front of both! Another stunning match of mastery on his part, which we find of course on his +/- at +28.

– Attention to detail. Memphis still lacks consistency and is paying a heavy price for its down times. And when leaders stumble, the situation gets complicated. It kind of happened when Jaren Jackson Jr. called Jailin Williams for a flagrant foul on a 3-point attempt at 91-95 early in the money period. The interior not only missed its first two throws, but they weren’t helped on the next possession by Ja Morant, who attempted a blind pass to the corner and was intercepted by Isaiah Hartenstein. What’s next? SGA took matters into their own hands: thanks and see you next time!

– Glass half full? Memphis, however, showed a more coherent face than a week ago following the suspension of Ja Morant. The group is more involved and Ja Morant sets the tone with a much better attitude despite his clumsy shooting (3/18). The first half was encouraging, until the Thunder settled down and allowed just 18-20 points per period after the break. Against the reigning champion, the Grizzlies’ performance was quite respectable, especially not forgetting once again the great list of absentees for this matchup: Ty Jerome, Scottie Pippen Jr., Brandon Clark and Zach Eddy. It’s nothing!

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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.