Dennis Schroder feasts as OKC Thunder defeat Magic: player grades
PG. Oklahoma City Thunder. LU DORT. B+.
Have to love the effort Luguentz Dort is bringing to the hardwood stepping up to answer the bell without Terrance Ferguson available. He’s not forcing anything and delivering precisely what he’s being asked in his role. Consider that most nights TFerg doesn’t take many shots either and the Canadian’s play has to be considered a revelation.
In 26 minutes the guard collected six points, two assists, and two steals. There are moments where his rawness and youth show but given who he’s being tasked with defending in these matches his play has measured up!
His grade might seem a tad high, but this is a rookie filling in to take on a tough defensive matchup so he merits the credit.
B. . PF. Oklahoma City Thunder. DANILO GALLINARI
Bit of an off shooting night for Danilo Gallinari who scored just 12 points and shot 4 of 11 from the field (2 of 7 from deep). He was the focus of much of the Magic’s defensive attention so we can cut him slack for not hitting the insane efficiency levels he’s been hitting of late.
As per the broadcast through his last six games Gallo was averaging 25.3 points, connecting on 48.9 percent of his shots and 20 of 30 or 66.6 percent. That’s crazy efficiency — so again, we can cut him slack on this off shooting night.
As per usual he chipped in with six rebounds, an assist, and a steal.
A. . C. Oklahoma City Thunder. NERLENS NOEL
Steven Adams was out again but thankfully Nerlens Noel returned and got the nod in the starting rotation. The fact he returned from his own ankle injury and battled so much depth in the Magic frontcourt is a testament to the big man’s effort and will.
He shot a highly efficient 7 of 10 from the field for 14 points adding seven rebounds and like most of his cohorts was active defensively chipping in with a steal and two big blocks. He also led the team in plus/minus with a +13.
I considered giving him a B+ but the fact he just returned to the rotation and played 30 minutes to such a high degree merits the “A”. Nikola Vucevic collected the big double-double but he’s not the only big on the Magic and averages close to the same totals on the season.