OKC Thunder seek to settle the score versus Grizzlies
Intentions noted the Saturday match against the Clippers was one the OKC Thunder should do their best to win based on a certain unprotected draft pick. The entire affair felt fated as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander hit a dagger step-back 3-pointer falling through the net precisely as the game clock hit 0:00.
It removed that sour taste of a 61 foot Hail Mary by Devonte Graham that erased a similar effort three nights earlier.
SGA made no mistake on the shot and even brought his celebration dance to the court. Plus his post-game comments felt typically Canadian and that of a team that is super close as he quipped – ‘If I would’ve known I would’ve passed to Josh for the last shot, to get the triple-double.’
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander said he didn’t know until the strength coach told him that Josh Giddey was close to a triple double “but if I would’ve known I would’ve passed to Josh for the last shot, to get the triple double.”
— Rylan Stiles (@Rylan_Stiles) December 19, 2021
It ranked in the upper echelon of wins this season for the dramatics, karmic retribution, and copious individual efforts. I mean 18 rebounds Josh Giddey — seriously – – what a treat. As Shai noted it would’ve been great if he’d got the trip-dub, but 28 games in. it’s clear that moment is coming.
Luguentz Dort continued his assault on the association and frankly, it simply feels good to beat a club that was deemed “more attractive” by a former OKC Thunder teammate.
OKC Thunder seek to settle the score versus Grizzlies
Yet, if the Clippers game was about the future then the match this evening is all about the recent past. Shade is already being tossed with the NBA Game Time crew asking if the odds were over or under 73 for Memphis tonight. As the panel laughed Steve Smith said ‘under – – by a point’.
Expect more of the same today on social media, TV programs, and podcasts. Or course they’ll mostly ignore the fact SGA, Giddey, Derrick Favors, and Kenrich Williams were all sidelined. But suffice to say this game is all about PRIDE!
The Grizzlies meanwhile arrive at this match having suffered only their second loss in 12 games — incidentally, the amount of time Ja Morant has been sidelined.
Memphis hasn’t lost consecutive games since November so this won’t be easy but let’s dive into the semantics…