Shai Gilgeous-Alexander tries hard to beat the Wolves

Pejcom Center has almost forgotten what a competitive game looks like. The public of OKC was served tonight by the arrival of the Wolves, who pushed the best team in the league to the limit. But behind 40 points still huge Shai Gilgeous-Alexanderstill uncertain as he was declared ill, the champion eventually emerged victorious (113-105).

The decision was made in the last minutes of the fourth quarter, which was played mainly on one possession, after the Thunder led by 10 points at the break (49-39). Three minutes from the end, the Thunder boss, whose time on the bench a little earlier was well compensated by activityAjay Mitchellsigned an important interception in front of Donte DiVincenzo before finishing the counterattack (103-101).

On the next possession, the Wolves lost another ball on a missed pass as an echo of the recent “money time” missed by the Minnesota team. However, with a minute left, Edwards seriously cooled the Thunder room with a 3-pointer from space in front of Isaiah Hartenstein’s outstretched wings.

Details that kill Wolves

The Wolves’ back end, bolstered earlier in the game by the opportunistic Terence Shannon Jr. and in perfect shooting mode (7/7 for 18 points), was very strong in this final period with 14 of his 31 points scored.

“SGA” was occupied by two, the answer came from the fixation of Lou Dort who in a little while found Chet Holmgren, who managed to sanction in the armchair in the corner (108-104). Another free throw by the local Canadian later, Julius Randle failed to put the ball back in the game with five seconds allowed… Another detail that cost the Wolves dearly, who ended up being defeated.

With this success, the 10th in a row, the Thunder remain undefeated (3v-0d) in Group A of the NBA Cup, while the Wolves have exactly the same record (2v-2d).

WHAT TO REMEMBER

– Less than 10 points difference. A form of small “exploitation” for the Wolves. The Thunder won their 10th game in a row last night, but OKC has been consistently winning by at least 13 points in this series. Since the start of the season, it’s only the third time the reigning champions have won by less than 10 points.

– Expensive free throws. If the two teams shot almost as many free throws, the final skill difference is significant: +20 points for the Thunder. The visitors left 15 points on the penalty line, shooting just 59% (22/37), their lowest percentage of the season. That’s how Rudy Gobert ended the 3/8 practice, missing first of all, after grabbing an offensive rebound, two shots with a minute left that would have allowed the tie. At 76% on the season, the Wolves are among the weaker players this season (25th in the league).

– Wolves’ interior is struggling. A bit of a night for the interior of the Wolves who missed a lot in the circle. Rudy Gobert was happy with 5 points on 1/3 shooting and Naz Reid with 12 points on 4/11 shooting. Julius Randle, who found Reed for an important 3-point shot with 5 minutes remaining, fared much worse with just 10 points on 2/13, including three shots from under the circle and five total missed attempts from long range. Combined, Minnesota scored 28 points in the paint; Thunder 22 more (50).

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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.