Player Grades: OKC Thunder get fifth straight win by downing Bucks

The OKC Thunder were able to extend their winning streak to five games with an impressive victory over the Milwaukee Bucks and Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Riding in on a four-game winning straight, the OKC Thunder clashed with the Eastern Conference’s top team on a nationally televised game. What better way to spend a Sunday evening?

Brook Lopez came alive in the first quarter and continued his hot shooting from deep this season. Lopez blitzed in four threes on four attempts for 12 first quarter points. This included not only a step back three, but a Steph Curry range three as well.

The OKC Thunder did, however, hold Giannis Antetokounmpo to just a pair of first-quarter points.

In the second quarter, the OKC Thunder saw their lead swell to sixteen points before going into the break leading by fourteen.

Russell Westbrook had a terrible first half that ended with him walking to the locker room gingerly with an apparent knee injury. He only poured in five points, on 20 percent shooting from the floor.

Entering the fourth quarter, the OKC Thunder had a ten point lead with thirteen  3-pointers.

The Bucks pulled within four with two minutes left in the game. At that point, the MVP, Paul George took over. George not only posterized Giannis Antetokounmpo but hit a dagger cold-blooded three with a hand in his face with under a minute left.

Russell Westbrook blocked Giannis Antetokounmpo with four minutes left in the game and up ten. Why does that matter? Because it was the seventh time Giannis was blocked tonight by the OKC Thunder. The most times he has been blocked in his career.

The OKC Thunder also set a new record for the most times the team had six double-digit scorers in a single game in a season. This season that feat has been accomplished 16 times.

This was a huge win for the OKC Thunder on national television against the best team in the East, who is getting a ton of praise by the national media.