OKC Thunder – Rockets Game 2 Grades -Dort’s return spoiled
The OKC Thunder had opportunities to even the series but failed to capitalize on an off-night by the Rockets star. Grades offer details.
This was not where OKC Thunder fans expected to be after two games. And there are only so many gifts the Rockets can extend without the Thunder capitalizing before they end up fishing.
This match wasn’t pretty – – let’s get that straight. The early starts aren’t ideal but this wasn’t even the super early start many clubs have been saddled with.
If I told you the Rockets wouldn’t have Russell Westbrook to start the series and James Harden would shoot 5 of 16 in Game 2 many of you would assume the OKC Thunder were up 2-0. Instead, the Rockets hold a commanding two-game lead over OKC and haven’t played to their full potential yet.
149. Final. 111. 169. 98
Even in this match, the Thunder looked like they were in a position to even the series. Although the Rockets took the opening frame 35-30 the Thunder roared back in the second quarter delivering a 29-18 frame to take a 59-53 lead into the half-time break.
The lead was narrowed to a single point following a poor third quarter that the Thunder lost 19-24.
Still, this is the team who thrived all season on clutch time prowess so the objective in the fourth quarter was to buckle down and then let their natural tendencies to dominate in clutch time and finish the game.
Instead, the Rockets closed as they started out playing the Thunder to post a 34-20 frame to capture Game two 111-98.
OKC Thunder Game 2 Grades
Houston now holds a two-game series lead and the Thunder are pushed into a corner where they’ll need to win four of the five games in order to advance.
It’s a sad day in Thunder Nation given this result.
We’ll remain optimistic and try to channel the efforts of a previous Thunder squad who came back from 0-2 down to win a series. All hope is not lost but it’s extremely frustrating that the Thunder weren’t able to take advantage of all the benefits they had through the first two games.
With that, let’s dive into the player grades.