The Thunder played host to the Spurs with both teams coming into the game with 2 game winning streaks. Anytime these two teams play each other, it’s always a fun game to watch. Tonight was no different.
It was a close game after the first half with the Thunder taking a 6 point lead into halftime but it should have b been more. They held the Spurs to 35.1% shooting and shot 50% themselves and scored 61 points. However the Spurs who only average 10 made 3 pointers a game hit 8 in the first half and it kept them in the game.
With 7:21 left in the 1st half, head coach Billy Donovan went to a lineup of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Lu Dort, Nerlens Noel, Dennis Schroeder, and Danilo Gallinari. That lineup won them the game. Down 9, Donovan calls a timeout and everything changed.
Whatever he said in the timeout worked because the Thunder went on a 16-0 run with that lineup, ended the half on a 25-10 run and didn’t look back from there.
They came out with the same energy to start the 2nd half as they had to end the 1st half and won the 3rd 37-18. It was one of the team’s best quarters of basketball they have played all season. Thunder outscored the Spurs 70-48 in the 2nd half and it wasn’t really close at any point in the half besides the first couple of minutes.
Shai led the team in scoring with 22 and had 13 rebounds but the star of the game was undrafted rookie Lu Dort who is a two way player. He is definitely a guy everyone around the NBA should get to know.
He didn’t have what would be considered a great game if you just look at the box score because he only had 15 points, 3 steals, 2 rebounds, and 2 assists and shot 6-6, but if you watched the game, you’d realize he is someone who has a bright future.
As a rookie, he’s already a really good defender and his instincts on that side of the floor are extremely impressive. Especially when you remember he’s only 20. Most young guys who aren’t one of the team’s primary options get down when they make a mistake or take a bad shot. Not Dort. He forgets whatever happened and moves on to the next play.
That has really helped his development and given him more confidence on the offensive end. It shows nightly. It’s clear that Dort is getting more comfortable as a NBA player and its been fun to watch him grow so far in his short career.
One issue with Dort however is that he is a two way player. Two way players are only allowed to spend 45 game days with the team during a season so the team will have to make him a full time player sometime in the very near future so they can have him available for the playoffs. I’m sure it won’t be an issue given how important he has become to the team.
No matter what though, with the type of effort and hustle he gives every night, he has a bright future and can be in the league a long time.
The Thunder will look to win their 4th straight on Tuesday when they take on the Chicago Bulls.
Flip the page to see highlights and post game interviews.