Thunder trembles but resists Raptors’ “comeback”.

For this trip to Torontothe Thunder still had to without Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the hometown star, nor Jalen Williams, but Cason Wallace (27 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists) was there and still is the one to be aroundIsaiah Joe (22 points), led the current champions to victory (116-107).

Once again became the best team in the league, OKC they offered themselves a third win in a row, the fifth in six matches, and we had to go and win it by fighting to the end. Because the Raptorswith a deficit of 25 points (!) in the third quarter, he did not give up, especially causing a huge “surge” of… 30-5, so that four minutes from the end they returned the counters to zero (101-101).

Then the Thunder, under the leadership of Cason Wallace in attack and then in defense, fought back with 9-0 in the space of 30 minutes. To which the Toronto players no longer knew how to respond, undoubtedly out of juice, after making a huge effort to pick up the score. Especially to defend in a suffocating manner and force a lot of missed shots.

WHAT TO REMEMBER

Cason Wallace confirms. Already very good against Cleveland on Sunday, with a nice “double-double” (20 points, 10 assists), Kaison Wallace did it again against Toronto: “career high” scoring and contributing in all areas. Without the Gilgeous-Alexander/Williams duo, the Thunder need someone to step up and, with Chet Holmgren seemingly on AC, Wallace is emerging. When the Raptors tied it in regulation time, it was he who set the tone to lead OKC to victory, taking control on offense while being decisive on defense.

And suddenly OKC was on fire… Before starting their impressive “comeback”, the Raptors mostly lasted only a good quarter of an hour last night. It’s time for the Thunder to adjust the 3-point target while showing more defensive concern on Brandon Ingram and Scotty Barnes and cleaning up with the ball. But from the moment Cason Wallace, Isaiah Joe, Alex Caruso and Lugenz Dort started heating up from long range, the gap began to widen and Oklahoma’s steamroller didn’t slow down. At least until the fourth quarter.

Scotty Barnes injured quadriceps ? Already uncertain for a back-to-back against the Western Conference’s second-leading Spurs, Scotty Barnes apparently injured his quadriceps in the fourth quarter. He came out for a short time in “money-time”, he still managed to get back on the floor, but we assume that adrenaline had a lot to do with it and we will have to watch it now on the Raptors side. Who, in Jakob Poltl’s absence, continued to use his All-Star for several minutes as a pivot in small-ball. With success, as his impact on the Canadian game was significant.

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How to read statistics? Min = Minute; Shots = Shots Successful / Shots Attempted; 3 points = 3 points / 3 points in an attempt; 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.