Without forcing, Thunder achieves its 7th win in a row

Given the dynamics in question, many could have guessed that this meeting of extremes would turn into an absolute blowout. It didn’t happen, but it did Thunder didn’t have too much trouble fending off one of the worst teams in the West, the Kings (113-99).

This success bears the mark of inevitability Shai Gilgeous-Alexander who, scoring 33 points, continued his personal streak of matches with 20 or more points. Backed by four other players who broke the 10-point mark, including 21 units for his giant Chet Holmgren, the leader of the Thunder made the California defense dizzy, especially in the third quarter.

The Thunder moved the opponent a little more in this period, after two first quarters that were much more contested than imagined. Despite the Zach Lavin – DeMar DeRozan pair far from Olympic form (25 points at 8/22 cumulatively), the guests managed to stay in touch at the break (58-50). New arrivals to the team, Dennis Schroder (21 points) and Precious Achiuva (15 points and 9 rebounds) contributed a lot.

Not enough, however, to stay in the footsteps of the reigning champion who we feel, night after night, just needs to up his intensity level a notch to widen the gap. We got to see Zach LaVine’s disappointed face after the incredible finish with the “SGA” scoreboard despite a mistake by Nike Clifford. After this action at the end of the third quarter, the home team had a 16-point advantage (83-67).

And yet, the final period did not prove to be a perfect formality. Because Malik Monk or Maxime Reynaud continued to make efforts to stabilize, or even slightly reduce the gap. This was without counting the distant address of Lou Dort who, after being silent in the first period, scored all 14 of his points in the second.

WHAT TO REMEMBER

– “SGA” played in the 4th quarter. This data is now a factor in assessing the Thunder’s composure level at the meeting. Like his teammates in the box, the local superstar had to wait until the last minute of the game to come to his bench. His team, which was not completely dominated, Mark Daigneault clearly felt that the Californian “runs” were not impossible. It will not be held, while the Canadian was mobilized for 36 minutes, which is his longest game since the only loss against the Blazers, 15 days ago.

– “Mystery” by Keon Ellis. His presence seems to be demanded by Kings fans, but after starting against the Spurs (year 2), Ellis returned to the bench and did not leave it much. In just 11 minutes, the guard known for his defensive qualities managed to contribute only 2 points and 3 rebounds. Earlier in the seasonDoug Christie explained that there aren’t enough minutes for all the backs, causing a problem of the rich … which contrasts with the poverty of the record.

– 7 wins; 7 defeats. Thanks to this 7th straight win, the Thunder improved their overall record to 15-1, and can continue in Utah on Friday, before trying to get revenge on the Blazers on Sunday. The exact opposite dynamic for the Kings (3v-12d) who suffered their 7th straight loss to end the week in Memphis and then especially in Denver.

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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; +/- = point difference when the player is on the court; Points = Points; Rating: player rating calculated based on positive actions – negative actions.