Jan 16, 2025; Oklahoma Metropolis, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) goes to the basket between Cleveland Cavaliers ahead Georges Niang (20) and guard Max Strus (1) through the fourth quarter at Paycom Middle. Obligatory Credit score: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Photos The Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder put forth a supreme effort on the entrance finish of a back-to-back set, and they’ll look to play simply as effectively on the second aspect once they go to the Dallas Mavericks on Friday evening.
Oklahoma Metropolis dismantled the visiting Cavaliers 134-114 on Thursday evening and now shares the most effective file (34-6) within the league with Cleveland.
The Thunder led the one-sided nationally televised contest by 42 factors within the third quarter earlier than calling off the assault.
Oklahoma Metropolis celebrity Shai Gilgeous-Alexander wasn’t overly impressed with the whipping.
“It was an excellent efficiency. We did the issues we had been presupposed to do,” Gilgeous-Alexander stated. “However for us, it was simply one other evening of basketball, one other evening of competing collectively and letting the chips fall the place they could be. It was nothing particular. It simply occurred to be on TV. … The result was the end result.”
Gilgeous-Alexander had 40 factors and eight assists. It marked his fifth outing of 40 or extra this season.
Thunder coach Mark Daigneault was requested if Gilgeous-Alexander was sending a message with the membership getting a uncommon alternative to be on the nationwide stage.
“No, he simply regarded the identical,” Daigneault stated. “That is why he is so good. He is like that each evening.”
Luguentz Dort additionally starred by establishing a season excessive with 22 factors, sinking six 3-pointers and serving because the defensive chief on an evening when the Thunder held Cavaliers star Donovan Mitchell to eight factors on 3-of-15 capturing.
The Thunder have received 4 straight video games and 19 of 20. The NBA Cup last on Dec. 17, once they misplaced to the Milwaukee Bucks, does not depend as a regular-season contest.
The Mavericks, in the meantime, have been plagued by accidents and have misplaced three straight video games and eight of their previous 10.
Luka Doncic has missed the previous 11 video games with a left calf pressure, and Dallas is 3-8 with out the participant who completed third in MVP voting final season. Doncic has performed in simply 22 video games this season.
Kyrie Irving (again) has missed seven of the previous 9 video games, together with Dallas’ 119-116 street loss to the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday. He’s listed as questionable for the Friday recreation.
Mavericks huge man Dereck Full of life II (ankle) will sit out for the second straight recreation.
Daniel Gafford softened the blow of dropping Full of life by scoring a career-best 27 factors on 12-of-13 capturing at New Orleans. He additionally collected 12 rebounds for his third double-double of the season.
Jaden Hardy added 21 factors off the bench for the Mavericks, and Spencer Dinwiddie contributed 20.
Regardless of the current swoon, Dallas is three video games over .500 on the midway level of its schedule and is feeling optimistic.
“You may’t actually give us a grade,” Dinwiddie stated. “I do know followers are most likely up and down each recreation proper now, however on the finish of the day we’ve got lofty objectives when wholesome. Accidents aren’t an excuse. You bought to go on the market and battle and battle and put together, and also you see guys step up each evening in numerous roles each evening, which is difficult in and of itself.
“However it’s an incomplete grade. Till you get wholesome and work out which 9 (gamers) are going to be enjoying, what roles are they actually going to have, string collectively 20 video games, then you definately’ll know what you actually have. We expect we’ve got one thing nice. We do not know.”
Mavericks coach Jason Kidd expressed related sentiments.
“Play has been actually good,” Kidd stated. “Well being has been poor, so you have acquired a next-man-up mentality. We’re placing ourselves in place to win video games. Once we’re wholesome, we actually imagine we’re among the finest groups within the league.”
The groups cut up this season’s first two conferences. Dallas notched a 121-119 street victory on Nov. 17 with out Doncic, and Oklahoma Metropolis registered 118-104 dwelling win on Dec. 10. Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 37.5 factors within the two video games.
–Discipline Stage Media
