OKC Thunder find the magic, top Orlando 126-117, Topic: Thunder analyze the win
Do you believe in (beating the) Magic? On the backs of Paul George (early), Russell Westbrook (always), and Dennis Schröder (late), the OKC Thunder did just that.
In what shaped up to be the ultimate let down game, the OKC Thunder were ready to give one away.
They started off hot early. Well, Paul George did. He had 31 (THIRTY FREAKING ONE!) points at the end of the first half. He hit virtually everything he put up in the first two frames. Overall, his numbers were 37 points (on 14-24 shooting, two of five from three), six rebounds, four assists, three steals, and all the M-V-P chants possible in his nine trips to the free throw line.
Russell Westbrook notched his 121st triple-double of his career and 17th on the season (23 points, 14 assists, 14 rebounds). Russ was poised and settled for nothing in this one. He drove hard to the basket and finished resulting in a very efficient night.
Neither one of those were the stars of the night though. Through three quarters, Dennis “The Menace” “Shredder” Schröder had a whopping three points. For a guy who is known for scoring, that is problematic for the OKC Thunder.
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What proved to be problematic for the Magic is that said “guy who is known for scoring” started –well, scoring. And he did so in bunches in the fourth quarter.
14-footer? Swish. Nine-foot floater? And One! Need to make a 3-pointer? How about Dennis takes one of his own? Splash. Two more midrange jumpers, another floater (with the free throw) and a Westbrook-assisted 3-pointer later and you have 18 points in the quarter.
That eroded the 28-5 run that the Magic boasted to end the third quarter, as well as any chance the home team had in getting that “W” tonight.
My name is Matthew Mullins (@mattymullspod), and on behalf of the Topic: Thunder Podcast, I will take you inside the big road victory for the Thunder tonight (and sixth win in a row).
Opening Remarks – 1:00
Hook Up the TiVo – 3:17
General Discussion – 22:38
Player of the Game – 24:28
Closing Remarks – 26:45
Topic: Thunder can be found, as always by searching for “OKC Topic Thunder” on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, or anywhere else you get your podcasts. Or you can just play the audio above.
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