OKC Thunder: Player grades from spectacular comeback win over Bulls
By Brandon Dale
The OKC Thunder win the first home game of the year dramatically against the Bulls. Grades provide an in-depth look at the ferocious comeback.
The OKC Thunder finally attained the illustrious first win at home that was alluding to this team for almost a month. The intensity of the game was unmatched.
It was indeed a back and forth affair.
Al Horford was out of the starting lineup again, which gave Isaiah Roby the start, and he did not disappoint. Roby looked aggressive and could do most of his work inside the paint, which let OKC have somewhat of an inside presence the club had been missing in previous games without Horford.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had himself a night as the shifty point guard had 33 points on the night and had the most important bucket of the game as time was winding down. SGA was able to draw contact as he drove the basket, which allowed the Thunder to tie the contest with 10 seconds to go in regulation.
149. Final/OT. 125. 24. 127
OKC Thunder withstands a 3-point barrage in the first half.
The OKC Thunder looked somewhat aggressive in the first quarter, but the game looked almost out of hand as the Bulls went on a huge run at the disposal of Zach LaVine. Lavine was unconscious in the first half, shooting 4 of 5 from beyond the arc while scoring 20 points in just 21 minutes of action.
The second half is where OKC looked in tune as six Thunder players were in double figures.
Luguentz Dort continued his 3-point tour Friday night, hitting 4 of 11 from downtown while playing fantastic defense. Lu and Shai clearly would not let this young Thunder team go down without a fight, and these future studs gave the Bulls fits on the defensive end.
In the third quarter, the Thunder went on a 22-5 run, scoring 37 points while shooting 56 percent from the field. OKC knocked down five 3-point field goals to go along with nine assists in the quarter. The most impressive stat by far is the 19 points off nine Chicago turnovers in the period.
37 points in a quarter is a tie for most points in a quarter this season by OKC.
The fourth quarter was all the OKC Thunder as they battled back from a 22-point deficit, withstanding the Bulls 20 made 3-pointers on the night.
It was fitting that the last shot that LaVine took was from beyond the arc.