No missteps for the leader! In Game 2 against Memphis last night, OKC dictated his law with almost as much ease as in the first match, for an identical result. Despite its awkwardness, the Thunder has been able to compensate for a great defensive aggressiveness in order to gradually take the best, with in particular the mastery of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (27 points) and Jalen Williams (24 points).
After hesitant beginnings, OKC quickly took the measure of Memphis. Launched on a 13-2 fed by the 3-point of Luguentz Dort and Chet Holmgren, the locals quickly smothered their opponent. While JA MORANT was still running after her first basket, the Caruso-Wallace duo with 3-point and SGA in the Dunk already placed the Thunder at +15 (32-17).
JA MORANT has finally been effective in the second quarter, but OKC did not raise his foot. On the contrary, the 3-point SGA twice, Luguenz Dort, Alex Caruso, Isaiah Joe and Jalen Williams in the last five minutes of the first half constantly accentuated the gap, up to +23 then +20 to a few seconds from the break (69-49).
Okc serious until the end
The Grizzlies managed to relaunch the suspense by adjusting their address to 3-point in their turn at the start of the third quarter. JA MORANT, DESMOND BANE, SCOTTY PIPPEN JR and JAREN JACKSON JR attacked by a 4/6 from afar to bring Memphis back to-8 (78-70). Dominator under the circle, Jaren Jackson Jr held his team at arm's length until the beginning of the fourth quarter (90-79).
Okc then did the necessary to quickly calm the opposing upturn, with a 14-2 which put Memphis on the ground for good. There was the 3-point of Alex Caruso and the Dunk of Cason Wallace in counterattack to launch the series (97-79) and the Williams Holmgren pair to bring the brand to 104-81.
Seriously to the end, with the Holmgren-Hartenstein duo to make the show, the men of Mark Daigneault confirmed with a new successful success against the Grizzlies, 118 to 99 ..
What to remember
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander dominates Ja Morant. In the “match in the match” of this series, the OKC leader took over his counterpart of the Grizzlies. He too started timidly, but quickly resumed with his two 3-time arrows in a blow which launched a fatal 17-5 shortly before the break. Present in important moments, as often.
The start of the fourth quarter. Memphis believed that he had relaunched the end of the match by returning to -11 to 12 minutes from the end. It was nothing. The Thunder was able to release a decisive run still marked by large defensive sequences for a 14-2 which sealed the suspense even before the entrance to the “money-time” (104-81).
Chet Holmgren confirms. He too illustrates OKC's determination in defense with his 5 counters. A second double-double in a row, which he had not achieved since the end of October, at 20 points and 11 rebounds, for a new full match from him in front of the Jackson Jr-Edey pair.
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How to read the stats? Min = minutes; Shots = successful shots / tempted shots; 3pts = 3-point / 3-point attempted; LF = Successful free throws / Trute-free throws; O = offensive rebound; D = defensive rebound; T = total rebounds; PD = assists; FTE: Personal faults; Int = interceptions; BP = lost bullets; CT: against; +/- = Differential points when the player is on the field; Pts = points; EVAL: evaluation of the player calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
