OKC Thunder youngsters break out in second win of season – player grades

Early on the reserve nod was going to Hamidou Diallo but credit has to be paid to the rookie Darius Bazley for scoring a career-high of 17 points. He shot 50 percent from the field (5 of 10) and the perimeter (3 of 6) and was perfect from the line (4 of 4).

Bazley added five rebounds (two offensive) and a block.

Putting the youngster’s effort in perspective he scored as much as Schroder did on almost half the attempts.

https://twitter.com/NBADraft/status/1190776077792227328

Best Opponent:

Much like Gilgeous-Alexander plays with a smooth unforced game the same can be said of Jrue Holiday. He’s a tall guard who is one of the better defenders and is a perennial consideration for the All-Defensive Team.

More from Thunderous Intentions

• Stealing one player from every Southwest Division team for the OKC Thunder
• Should the OKC Thunder chase after a disgruntled hometown hero?
• 3 OKC Thunder players who can step up in Aleksej Pokusevski’s absence
• Aleksej Pokusevski sidelined approximately 6 weeks with ankle injury
• Damian Lillard does not fit with the OKC Thunder

Holiday just returned from injury so he was likely under a minute restriction today.  The one oddity about this Pelicans club is they have numerous shooting guards and while both Zion Williamson and Derrick Favors are out they are limited in the frontcourt.

Holiday tried to pick up the slack but Chris Paul was the better quarterback on this day. Still, there’s a lot to like about Jrue and he gets the nod today. His stat line was 16 points,  three rebounds, six assists, and one steal.

In closing:

I’m sure everyone thought I’d be putting Deonte Burton in the best reserve spot (jokes) because he finally got some burn from Donovan.

In all seriousness though, go back and watch how many shots Burton deflected or affected in his brief time on the floor. I’d still like to see Burton become a more regular member of the reserve contributors. Especially when he can hit the perimeter shot and defend.

To that end, Mike Muscala is now ONE FOR EIGHTEEN from 3-point land! 

The full box score can be viewed on ESPN by clicking here.

Next up the OKC Thunder host the Orlando Magic on Tuesday. Check back with Thunderous Intentions daily and make sure to bookmark us so you don’t miss out on all the action this season.