Thunder/Nuggets Game Thread
After eight days off, the Oklahoma City Thunder get back to action as they host the Denver Nuggets at the Peake. The Thunder (33-22) are looking for their 11th win in 14 games; Vegas Insider has Oklahoma City as a 1.5 favorite.
When these two teams met back in December, the Nuggets used a 28, 14, and 12 performance from Nikola Jokic to grab a 110-102 win. Steven Adams wasn't exactly chopped liver that night. Adams went for 18 and 14, but Jokic is on another level.
Billy Donovan says the reason Jokic is so effective not just against Adams, but other centers as well is because of his ability to impact the offensive end of the floor. He can post he can shoot, and he gets other players involved. One of the Thunder's chief concerns tonight will be disputing the seven-footers' ability to see when he looks to pass. Jokic is 13th in the NBA, averaging 6.9 assists per game. Donovan uses the word "crafty" to describe how Jokic plays in the post; he also says that Jokic plays at a good pace and never gets sped up.
Here's hoping the All-Star break has made him a little rusty. Speaking of the layoff, this is the Thunder's first game in eight days, there are 27 games left in the season, and Oklahoma City is just two games out of the fifth seed in the Western Conference.
Donovan says the later you get in the season, you run out of time to improve "we need to capitalize on opportunities to get better."..."I think early in the year, it was about them learning to play with one another.".."You don't wanna just ease into this part of the schedule you wanna be able to come in and try and pick up at a really good place."
First Quarter:
Jokic with an easy two to start the game. Thunder with 14 seconds on the shot clock. Adams with two to even things up.
Adams with an assist to Gallinari on the alley-oop. Score tied at 4.
Neither team can hit right now. Nuggets and Thunder combined are 4 of 14. Paul breaks the tie, now 6-4 OKC. Shai Gilegous-Alexander adds two. Now 8-6 Thunder.
6:45 to go in the first quarter Thunder lead 8-6. Adams and Jokic with 4 each.
Paul with a block!
Ferguson, Schroder, Nader, Noel all on the floor for the last two minutes of the quarter.
Schroder took a minute to get up after being fouled. Seems fine now, of course, I wasn’t the one that fell. At the line for two, sinks both.
The end of the first quarter and the Thunder are up 27-17. Oklahoma City 47.6 percent from the field. 2 of 5 from three. Points in the paint even at 14, Schroder with 7 points.
Second Quarter:
Denver starts the quarter on a 7-2 run.
Great possession for the Thunder, ball movement continues to improve, Nader goes baseline and gets fouled.
After a sluggish start Oklahoma City, pushing the tempo forcing turnovers and leading by 10. 34-24.
Noel thinks he got all ball, but that was a foul. Jokic just too big for Noel or anyone else not to foul.
Gallinari with a flagrant foul.
Nuggets up 37-36.
I might be wrong about Gallinari playing point guard in a pinch.
Jamal Murray, staying on the bench after being down. Denver has outscored Oklahoma City 22-11 this quarter.
Lou Dort is all over the floor right now.
Thunder back within two at 42-40. Now up 43-42 after Gallinari hits a three.
Chair Paul gets the and one with 2.7 seconds left in the second.
Paul misses the free throw. Score tied at 48 going into the half.
Thunder 37 percent from the field, Paul and Schroder with 9 points each.
Third Quarter:
Thunder open on a 9-1 run. Starters still in after Nuggets timeout. Another empty possession for Denver leads to Chris Paul three. Now 60-49 Oklahoma City.
Every time Lou Dort plays the way he does tonight, it’s a good time to remind Sam Presti that he is still on a two-way contract.
Nuggets are making a run, Thunder lead is now three. 7:01 to go in the third. 60-59 Oklahoma City and Billy Donovan takes a timeout.
Noel in for the Thunder.
Dort with a steal and a slam. Again Mr. Presti, he only has 45 days in the NBA can you please sign this man to a full contract. Schroder in, Paul to the bench.
Schroder gets tagged for his second foul of the night. Schroder goes to the bench after holding his ankle. Ferguson in, Paul back in. Nuggets have made it a one-point game.
Schroder still on the sideline, holding his ankle, trying to put pressure on it, but he’s not getting up and currently talking with the trainer. Noticeable limp.
Schroder is talking with Donovan, going back over to the score’s table and waiting to check-in.
Schroder is checking in after this Thunder timeout. 72-69 Oklahoma City.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is coming around after starting a little slow. Gilegous-Alexander 9 points on 4/13 shooting. Chris Paul leads the Thunder with 20 points on 8/13 and 3/5 from beyond the arc.
78-77 as we head to the fourth quarter.
Fourth Quarter:
He may not have scored. But watching Gilegous-Alexander handle the ball is a ton of fun. Adams getting the bucket with an assist from Gilgeous-Alexander.
Adams with 13 points and 14 rebounds, Jokic 28 and 17. Nader connects on a three, Thunder with an 84-79 lead with 9:04 left to go.
Gilegous-Alexander 11-9-9. Triple double watch. Here’s the question, does Gilgeous-Alexander know he’s one assist and one rebound away from a triple-double?
We are heading to the media room. I will update as needed. We will have a game and video, once we are finished at the Peake.
