OKC Thunder rebound vs shorthanded Blazers – player grades

JANUARY 18: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers drives to the basket against the OKC Thunder (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images)
JANUARY 18: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers drives to the basket against the OKC Thunder (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images)
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OKC Thunder
JANUARY 18: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the OKC Thunder drives to the basket against the Portland Trail Blazers (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images)

Leadership at it’s finest as Chris Paul took charge right from the tip tonight. Without two key starters, he took a more aggressive role in the scoring production and put up early points to help steer the club into having the upper hand.

CP3 scored 30 points on a highly efficient 11 of 15 from the field along with three of five 3-point shots. He added four rebounds and seven assists and along with Adams posted a team-high plus 20.

The noticeable effect Paul is having on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander may have been best represented in this match as he rode the sidecar to CP3 in leading the team.

The Canadian delivered a steady calm providing what the game gave him putting up another productive game featuring a double-double of 22 points and 10 rebounds. In addition, he dished out five assists. The only downside to his game tonight was his 3-point shot wasn’t falling but he doesn’t force those attempts either which again shows he’s wise beyond his years.