Homecoming 2021: OKC Thunder knock off Toronto Raptors

The Oklahoma City Thunder looked to build off Monday’s win over the Detriot Pistons as the team goes north of the border to take on the Toronto Raptors. It is a homecoming for two Canadians Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Lu Dort returning to Canada but representing the OKC Thunder. You could tell the energy was ramped up for this game compared to others this season.

The OKC Thunder played a tough first half against the Raptors, even seeing Darius Bazley get his offense going, Josh Giddey burying a three, and Lu Dort trying to jump out of the gym and end the career of anyone who contested his slam.

OKC Thunder down Toronto Raptors, win second straight

The Thunder saw Lu Dort create shots for himself, drive strong to the rim, and more than once overpower Toronto Rookie Scottie Barnes. Dort even attempted a behind-the-back pass which was bobbled away by Derrick Favors, but the sheer attempt showed how amped the Canadian was. He finished the first half with a team-high 14 points, the lone player in double-figures for the OKC Thunder through two quarters. He only missed two shots during the first two frames, hauled in two rebounds, dished an assist, and swatted a shot.

Darius Bazley helped carry the load offensively as well missing just one shot on his way to eight points, two blocks, and three rebounds in the first half. A welcomed sign for Bazley who is off to the worst start of his young career.

However, the OKC Thunder still found themselves trailing at the break despite Bazley’s turnaround and Dort dashing to the rim every possession. The Raptors carried a ten-point lead into intermission which was largely due to the tough shot-making from Pascal Siakam and Gary Trent Jr. Siakam chipped in 16 points, while Trent Jr racked up 19 in just two-quarters of action. The Eastern Conference rookie of the month runner-up, Scottie Barnes, was not far behind with nine quick points on four misses, four rebounds, two assists, a steal, and a block.

Toronto blitzed in nine threes in the first half to the tune of a 42-percent clip and shot nearly 60-percent from the floor which allowed them to swell this lead to double-digits. How the OKC Thunder came out in the third period would set the tone for the rest of this game.

The third quarter is where the Oklahoma City Thunder landed their counterpunch, outscoring Toronto 33-12 in the frame and taking an 87-76 lead into the fourth period. After a silent first half, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander got going during the third. The OKC Thunder lead came thanks to a 25-3 scoring run.

After SGA picked up the first technical foul of his career (it only took 208 games!), he came alive ending the Third with 24-points, knocking down a pair of side-step triples, dishing out seven assists, swiping two steals, and even collecting a rebound.

We all knew a Nick Nurse-led squad would not go down without a fight. Fred Van Vleet threw punches after punches, eventually cutting the OKC Thunder down to six. Van Vleet knocked down a triple to tie this game with a minute to go, prompted by a 21-7 run.

On the other end, Josh Giddey got a good look at the rim before his layup rolled off which allowed Toronto to capture a two-point lead with 40 ticks to go. The Raptors took a two-point lead with 18 seconds left, as Mark Daigneault called an OKC Thunder timeout.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander did a fantastic job driving into the lane, appearing as though he would go for the tie, as the Raptors collapsed on him, he kicked the ball out to the top of the key as Mike Musclaa buried a triple to take a one-point lead for the OKC Thunder.

On the other end, the Raptors missed a floater in the lane and as the tip-back went in, it was a millisecond too late and the OKC Thunder held on for the win in Toronto 110-109.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 26 points, nine assists, two rebounds, a steal, and 12-for-12 at the free-throw line. Dort chipped in 22, Bazley contributed 15, and Josh Giddey hit three big shots from beyond the arc on his way to 15 points. A fun game, and the best win you will see all year because it was the young guns that got it done and held on in a clutch situation. This is a “look back” game as the Thunder try to grow this team, and get back to title contention in the future.