The start of the game is to the advantage of the Thunder, which enters its match with great seriousness. The ball is moving well, and everyone is involved. This allows OKC to take a 7-point lead (18-11). This is when the Clippers bench will make the difference, with the entries of Terance Mann and Bones Hyland. The two players bring new life to the floor, which allows Los Angeles to pick up the score (22-22). The Clippers continue their momentum, with a Kawhi Leonard of the great evenings, author of 15 points at 7/7 shooting in the first 12 minutes. Tyronn Lue’s men lead 36-29 at the end of the first act.
During the 2nd quarter, the two teams went blow for blow. The Clippers fail to fly to the score against a very resistant young OKC guard, who always manages to respond. On a 3-point shot, Jalen Williams even allows the Thunder to go back in front (51-49). The two teams return to the locker room back to back (54-54).
Upon returning from the locker room, the mano a mano continues between two teams that can’t really get the upper hand on each other (68-68). Under the leadership of Kawhi Leonard, the Clippers take a 6-point lead (76-70). Well served by Terance Mann, Bones Hyland sanctions at 3-point to offer 11 points ahead of his team (89-78). At the start of the 4th quarter, Los Angeles leads 92-80.
Thanks to two consecutive long distance baskets from Nicolas Batum and Bones Hyland, the Clippers soar to the score by taking a 16-point lead (101-85). Kawhi Leonard’s teammates are on fire from 3-pointers against a totally lost OKC team. The Clippers are 24 points ahead (111-87). OKC lays down their arms, Clippers win 127-105.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– The Clippers base on the Suns. They put things back in place by taking their revenge against the Thunder, two days later. A precious victory that allows Tyronn Lue’s men to come back tied with the Suns, 4th. And when we see the calendar that awaits the players of Arizona, the Clippers have a nice shot to play, by winning, why not, the advantage of the field during the 1st round of the playoffs.
– The Thunder leaves the play-in. With 8 successes in the last 10 games, they were completely back in the race for the Top 6, in order to obtain a direct spot for the playoffs. But now, this defeat against the Clippers is a very bad operation at the accounting level, since Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and his band come out of the play-in from 8th to 11th place, in a Western conference which is played in a handkerchief of pocket. And tomorrow, a crucial match awaits them against the Lakers, who have exactly the same record (36-37). A meeting that will count double because it will be the 3rd and last confrontation between the two teams. The Thunder had won the first game, and the Lakers the second. Tomorrow’s winner will therefore have the “tie-breaker” on the other in the event of a tie at the end of the season.
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ Kawhi Leonard. In Paul George’s absence, he took matters into his own hands by performing a boss match. He finished with 32 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 steals at 13/15 shooting including 3/4 at 3-pointers!
✅Russell Westbrook. He also raised his level, with a very good performance. He finished with 24 points and 7 assists at 8/13 shooting including 2/4 from 3-pointers.
✅ The Clippers bench. The substitutes made the difference in this match by bringing the energy that the starters lacked. The trio made up of Terance Mann, Bones Hyland and Nicolas Batum delighted.
✅ Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Very good performance, as usual. He finished with 30 points at 10/15 shooting.
⛔️ Luguentz Sleeps. Big breakdown of address for him with a very ugly 1/11 in shooting.
⛔️ Isaiah Joe. He went through his game with 0 points in 17 minutes.
THE FOLLOWING
Clippers (39-35): reception of the Pelicans on the night of Saturday to Sunday (4:30 am).
Thunder (36-37): back-to-back at the Lakers (3h30).
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