The match started at a slow pace, very jerky offensively. The two teams are not very enterprising and observe each other more than anything else for several minutes. Finally, two minutes from the end of the first quarter, the Hornets launched the first offensive: they stuck a 17-3 to the Thunder and already created a first break after twelve minutes (37-20). Coming off the bench, PJ Washington is a hit (9 points, 3/3 behind the arc) while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Josh Giddey float (8 points each) within a Thunder picking up in attack (33% in shots).
With such a gap after twelve minutes, the second quarter did not bring many twists, except that Terry Rozier gained momentum to overcome LaMelo Ball’s three faults (9 points during the quarter). , 17 in total over the half) and that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is far too lonely (22 points in the first half) on the OKC side. The score in this second quarter is fair (32-32) and the gap at the break is therefore still 17 points (69-52).
After the break, the Thunder finally wakes up and makes a first “run” to pick up 10 points halfway through the third quarter (79-69). But unfortunately, the respite is only short-lived for visitors. In the wake of a LaMelo Ball which blackened the stats sheet and approached the triple-double, the Hornets quickly widened the gap after two award-winning shots from Gordon Hayward and PJ Washington, and an “and-one” from Terry Rozier (93-75).
Nothing to report during the final act, which unfolds like a classic fourth quarter “garbage time”. The holders of the Hornets give a final boost to increase the gap above 20 points, then James Borrego empties his bench and ends the meeting with the club’s young thumbs (Kai Jones, James Bouknight, JT Thor and Vernon Carey Jr). The Hornets won easily after a one-sided game.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
Jalen McDaniels injury. On a drive to the circle during the second quarter, the winger twisted his left ankle on the foot of a Thunder defender, and joined the locker room, helped by a member of staff and James Bouknight. He did not return for the rest of the game.
LaMelo Ball nearly triple-doubles : 10 points, 9 rebounds and 8 assists for the youngest of the siblings. If not for his first quarter foul problems, he would certainly have scored his fifth career triple-double.
Thunder’s attack in distress : 98 points scored at 38% on shots, only 20 assists and 12 loss of balls. The evening of the club was laborious in attack, and the bill could have been even more salty if “SGA” had not held the house throughout the meeting.
Tops/Flops
✅ P. J. Washington. Coming off the bench, the interior made its external address speak: 20 points (6/10 behind the arc) and 6 rebounds to knock out the defense of the Thunder in relay of the holders. A performance that will certainly revive the player, who has accumulated 15 points… in his last five matches.
✅ terry rozier. Another great game for “Scary Terry”, on his way from a successful return to Boston and a quality month of January. With 24 points (8/17), 5 rebounds and 9 assists, he was the most prominent Hornet.
✅ Miles Bridges. The strong winger achieved a double-double (24 points and 13 rebounds at 50% on shots, 4 assists and 3 interceptions) without forcing, even allowing himself to make the “show” at the end of the game with a huge dunk on an alley-oop sent by James Bouknight. The player is in great shape and will compete with teammate LaMelo Ball to be the Hornets’ representative at the All-Star Game next month.
✅ Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The Canadian was very good, but very alone. He finished with 29 points (10/22), 5 rebounds and 6 assists in a game where only two other players (Giddey, Robinson-Earl) exceeded the 10-point mark on the Thunder side.
⛔️ Kelly Oubre. The Charlotte winger allowed himself all the shots, and it wasn’t very successful. He finished with 8 points… on 14 shots. His 5 rebounds and 3 steals certainly bring some comfort to James Borrego.
THE FOLLOWING
Charlotte (26-20) : still at home, Sunday against the Hawks
OKC (14-31) : “back-to-back” in Cleveland
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
