Stiles Points: Chet Holmgren's Bright Future on Display vs 76ers
The Oklahoma City Thunder (55-23) have turned in a massively successful season. In the midst of a fight for the top spot in the Western Conference, mostly everything has clicked for the Thunder. Including rising rookie Chet Holmgren who has answered a lot of questions.
Averaging 16.8 points, 7.9 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 2.4 blocks and 0.6 steals per game while shooting 53 percent from the floor and 37 percent from beyond the arc. Holmgren is posting 70 percent at the rim, 49 percent in the mid-range and 39 percent on non-corner triples.
On Tuesday against the 76ers, Holmgren was the number one option going for 22 points, seven rebounds, one assist and two blocks in this contest shooting 3-for-6 from beyond the arc. Throughout this season, Holmgren has put up many gaudy performances.
With four 30-point-plus games his scoring upside has been on full display and he has a natural next step. With his downhill attacking ability and fancy foot work, it will not be long until Holmgren gets the benefit of the whistle.
Free Throw Attempts are the largest separates in points per game column and as the Thunder big man learns the tricks of the trade and increases his trips to the line, his scoring potential will be fully unlocked. In this game, Holmgren was rewarded with a trio of freebies.
From his three-level scoring ability, play-finishing, and a unique capability of playing off the catch there will be no surprise when Holmgren becomes a high-level scorer for the Thunder. His game on Tuesday reaffirmed that.
Stiles Points:
- Josh Giddey turned in another good game showing off his improved rim-finishing. Giddey even flashed his jab step straight line drive and sealed off defenders at the rim bringing his rim-finishing numbers to 70 percent at the ring since March 1st.
- Ousmane Dieng hit the game-winning floater in overtime against the Rio Grande Valley Vipers to push the OKC Blue into the conference semi-finals.
- Olivier Sarr put up the seventh 20-plus rebound game in G League history on Tuesday against the Vipers.
- The OKC Thunder fell to the third seed after the loss to the 76ers. This would set up a matchup with the New Orleans Pelicans. They are a half-game back of the top sed in the West.
Song of the Day: More Than a Feeling by Boston.
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RYLAN STILES