Tonight, the Thunder used their superior ability and aggressiveness to dissect the Spurs’ offense and protection. The sport was marketed as a marquee matchup between the rookie bigs, however Wembanyama and Holmgren have been virtually irrelevant as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander initiated the offense with steals and completed it with snaky drives to the basket. Josh Giddey additionally did plenty of harm to the Spurs together with his size and ball dealing with ability. The Spurs merely had no reply for the Thunder protection, which had the Silver and Black fully discombobulated for many of the sport.
The Spurs saved it shut for about 20 minutes within the first half, however the Thunder stress broke them after that, and it grew to become clear that regardless of each groups being among the many youngest within the league, the expertise and expertise disparity between the groups was monumental as OKC took it to San Antonio. This type of loss is an effective measuring stick for a younger workforce that has a protracted approach to go, as a result of now we are able to see simply how far the journey shall be. It’s going to be robust, however the subsequent step shall be on Friday evening in opposition to the Sacramento Kings, within the Spurs third In Season Match sport. With a 0-2 report in West Group C, they’re just about eradicated from the knockout spherical, which isn’t a shock for anybody who watched tonight’s sport.
Observations
Of all of the In Season Match courts I’ve seen to date, the 76ers’ must be the worst. The brilliant crimson is like an icepick to the eyes. The Spurs’ courtroom is slightly gaudy, however the cooler colours make it lots simpler to take a look at with out protecting your eyes. The OKC IST courtroom occupies the center of the area between the eye-stabbiness of the Sixers abomination and the restful impartial colours of the Spurs courtroom.
Julian Champagnie within the beginning lineup was a twist that I didn’t anticipate. Particularly since he’s been in a stoop to date this season. He was one of many few brilliant spots for the Spurs tonight, as he used the prolonged rubbish time to work on his sport and shoot himself out of his stoop.
Victor Wembanyama began out the sport with slightly extra aggression than we’ve seen from him to date this yr. The gradual begins have been an issue for him to date, and it’s good to see him concerned from the beginning.
As quickly as Wembanyama sat, SGA began to prepare dinner within the paint. He was fairly reluctant to shoot when the large Frenchman was within the paint, however with Champagnie and Collins on the job, the paint was open for enterprise.
The Spurs performed fairly nicely once they have been on schedule within the first quarter, however a couple of unhealthy turnovers led to straightforward Thunder factors as they led 28-25 after the primary.
Pop used to hate to make use of challenges, however the rule the place you may get a second one in case your first problem is profitable has turned him right into a problem fanatic. It’s in all probability a great way to realize an extra possession when you understand the decision is unsuitable, however it may be dangerous if the video proof isn’t conclusive. He used his first problem early within the second quarter to overturn an out of bounds name.
There’s been plenty of ink about how the Spurs lack a real level guard, and you may see the issue tonight, because the Silver and Black’s turnovers led to straightforward Thunder quick break factors. They really want somebody to carry onto the ball on offense and provides it to the proper participant, and the dearth of that gave the fast palms of the Thunder too many alternatives for straightforward buckets. OKC exploited that weak point for a 13-0 run to complete the primary half which turned a detailed sport into an enormous lead for the house workforce.
About 80% of Devin Vassell’s offense is making troublesome photographs. Think about how good he might be if his teammates might get him open appears.
Jeremy Sochan bought a flopping technical when somebody stepped on his foot and he fell down. That appears harsh.
After the beating they took to shut the primary half, you’d anticipate the Spurs to return out of halftime slightly mad. You’d be unsuitable, as they let the Thunder’s protection take the ball away and begin the third quarter on one other run, extending the 13-0 run to finish the second to a 12-0 surge spanning the halftime break. They continued the onslaught to steer 73-50 midway by way of the third.
Everytime you see a mad scientist in a film doing loopy experiments, it at all times turns right into a horror story. Perhaps the townspeople with torches have been proper. The Island of Dr. Moreau and Frankenstein aren’t tales about succeed by way of unconventional means. Perhaps that metaphor isn’t one of the simplest ways to elucidate the Spurs level guard state of affairs. Perhaps it’s, and that’s the scary half.
The Thunder led 91-66 after three quarters and the rout was on. Issues bought slightly chippy late as a pushing match ensued between Zach Collins and Kenrich Williams, however it was a lot ado about nothing.
The sport was so uncontrolled within the fourth quarter that TNT lower away to the Sixers and Mavs video games throughout rubbish time. It’s in all probability for the very best. OKC’s finish of the bench shot lights out for many of the quarter because the Thunder gained 123-87.
The Spurs have misplaced six video games in a row and their report is now 3-8, and they’re 0-2 within the In-Season Match. Their subsequent sport is in opposition to the Sacramento Kings on Friday evening in San Antonio.
