Thunder amazing against Jazz

That’s what we call doing anything but self-assurance. In the heart of the first sequence very delicate for him this seasonThe Thunder certainly found a way to victory (129-125). But it was tough against a lowly Jazz team, which OKC blew out by at least 30 points in the first two contests.

In this part, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander he had to work hard to go as far as his second-highest performance of the season (46 points). And it took an extra five minutes to finally bury the hopes of the Utah team led by its tandem of strongmen, Lauri Markkanen (29 points and 13 rebounds) i Keionte George (25 points and 11 assists), well supported by a Jusuf Nurkic also in a double-double (15 points and 15 rebounds).

Even the mere seizure of this extension meant that nothing was gained for the locals, who sought to erase it an embarrassing 27-point losssuffered two days earlier on the same floor against the Hornets. The author of an excellent start, the current champion put maximum chances on his side to achieve it without any problems.

After 15 minutes of play, the deficit was already made: 47-27. But the Jazz didn’t give up and were able to limit OKC offensively for several minutes, especially the last three before the break. Đorđe and Markanen finished better, as a result of which almost everything had to be done again during the break (58-53).

The Thunder have a lot of trouble getting overtime

Perfectly balanced, the third quarter did not guarantee either team. On the other hand, in the fourth, the tide clearly turned in favor of the Jazz. Five minutes after time, Keyonte George scored again to give his team an 8-point lead (99-107). The Thunder then had to insist inside with Holmgren to report.

Rookie and surprise of the night Walter Clayton Jr. showed that he was not afraid with a big winning shot with a minute left (108-112). “SGA” rushed to the circle in response, and then Jalen Williams, the author of a nasty air ball a few seconds earlier, scored the first tie at 27 seconds (112-112). The problem is that same Williams didn’t do a good enough job of blocking Markkanen’s rebound, who hit a key shot on Walter Clayton Jr.’s missed shot.

Three seconds is all it takes for “SGA” to convert a complicated shot from the free throw line. Overtime (114-114). After that, the Canadian coach continued his work, and in particular he made the 6th foul of Jusuf Nurkic. And yet, Jazz didn’t give up. Bryce Sensabo signed a big dunk with a foul to tie the game again (122-122) with 40 seconds left. For a painful victory, it will take shots from Holmgren and a few throws from the local leader.

WHAT TO REMEMBER

The nerve of jazz. Will Hardy’s men showed up in Oklahoma with a streak of four consecutive losses, and yet they did not show complexes in this game. We will especially remember the attitude of Walter Clayton Jr. or Brice Sensabo who showed in important moments that they have the resources to enter the battle. Despite this failure, which ended their “journey,” Will Hardy could say to himself ” very proud » of his players.

OKC remains undefeated in overtime. The Thunder’s first two wins of the season seem so far away… Both came in double overtime, against the Rockets and Pacers. Since then, as a symbol of the class gap that exists between the rest of the league and him, the champion no longer had to go through this extra period. Until tonight, with the third victory of the year in this context.

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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.