After losing its only nationally televised game a couple of days ago against the Heat, the OKC Thunder bounced back and defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 133-114. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 37 points on the way to victory, as the healthy Sixers stood no chance against a determined Thunder squad.
OKC Thunder played great team defense and hot shooting propel them over the Philadelphia 76ers 133-114.
In their last matchup, Philadelphia handily beat Oklahoma City on New Year’s Eve. This time, the Thunder were ready for them.
OKC got out to a hot start from three-point range, making four of their first five shots from downtown. Rookie Jaylin Williams was given the Joel Embiid assignment, due to many injuries to the Thunder frontcourt, but the Thunder did a great job at surrounding him and making him give up the ball or take tough shots.
However, the 76ers would not go down without a fight, going on an 11-2 run toward the end of the first quarter to tie the game at 35 heading into the second.
The bench shined at the start of the second quarter, specifically Tre Mann who scored double-digits in the second quarter alone. Some great team basketball from the Thunder led to a 10-point advantage heading into halftime.
Philadelphia immediately went on a 10-0 run to erase their deficit, but Oklahoma City answered right back with a 19-2 run toward the end of the third quarter.
Gilgeous-Alexander and Embiid traded blocks late in the third, but SGA’s squad entered the fourth quarter with a 16-point lead.
OKC would not give up the lead from there as Shai and Josh Giddey were both spectacular in the last frame, leading the Thunder to a 19-point victory.
Oklahoma City dished out 28 assists on 44 field goals and had 50/40/90 shooting splits as a unit. The Thunder continue to look more and more like a playoff-caliber team in the month of January, handily taking down multiple winning teams.