The Thunder eventually got rid of the Grizzlies

Respected hierarchy between Thunder and Grizzlies. While the current champion remained on two defeats in three matches, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (31 points, 10 rebounds and 8 assists) and his gang did whatever it took to push away the Grizzlies (119-103) who are still without Ja Morant (ankle) and Zach Eddy (ankle).

We don’t know if this matchup is likely to calm OKC ahead of a doubleheader this week against the Spurs, a team that won the NBA Cup semifinals. Because the Thunder had to fight longer than expected against Memphis. “SGA” also had to wait until the last minutes of the game to join his bench.

The locals, however, felt they had found the right fuel at the end of the first period by going 12-0 back to the locker room with a comfortable mattress (67-54). Only in the third quarter would things get complicated. With six players with 11 or more points, including 16 each from Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Cedric Coward, the visitors will put their opponents to sleep.

Memphis gets back to two possessions

It would take a big dunk in traffic from Jalen Williams late in the period to wake up the local scene as the Thunder rolled into the final quarter in favorable conditions (84-73). And yet, thanks to his 3-point prowess, Tuomas Iisal’s men found a way to pull under the 10-point mark in the following minutes.

Even better, 5 minutes from the end, “KCP” again punished with 3 points and returned Memphis to only two possessions (101-97). This is where the “SGA” genius would speak with a basket and then, after a T-Mac-style bounce on the backboard but no dunk, caviar to Branden Carlson in the corner.

After the “circus shot” of Jalen Williams, the Canadian signed a “stepback” in the middle distance to give a little more air to his formation. This time, Memphis is not coming back.

WHAT TO REMEMBER

– Third quarter offensive poverty. These 12 minutes are at odds with the overall picture of the Thunder. The defending champion has scored 31 or more points in three quarters, but nearly half as many in this third stretch. Like this rather horrendous aerial ball sent in by Branden Karlsson at first sight, Marc Dagneault’s men had great difficulty finding a target on the set play. The Grizzlies, with the exception of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, weren’t much more skilled, but the Thunder couldn’t generate the transition game to get easy shots. The results of these very bad 12 minutes: 19 to 17 in favor of the guests.

– “SGA” has its 100th consecutive match with more than 20 points. The Canadian’s impressive consistency is confirmed night after night. For his 100th straight game, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored at least 20 points. this one last Novemberhe has already surpassed Oscar Robertson who in October 1964 stopped at 79 meetings in a row with this quota. Next target: Wilt Chamberlain, the only player to beat the streak with 126 games between October 1961 and January 1963. For the record, the current “SGA” streak began on November 1 last season. The last time he didn’t reach the 20-point mark was Oct. 30, 2024 against the Spurs, when he was satisfied with 18 points.

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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.