LAS VEGAS – As scrappy, as feisty and as unsightly as the second Emirates NBA Cup semifinal game was for lengthy stretches Saturday, the league could have a fresh, grinding rivalry on its fingers.
Oklahoma City and Houston commenced the day at or close to the pinnacle of the Western Conference. They ranked first and 2nd, respectively, in defensive performance. And, as demonstrated within the Thunder’s 111-96 victory at T-Mobile Arena, two of the NBA’s youngest groups will be competing for the identical area inside the West for a long time.
First things first, even though. Before the Thunder and the Rockets can upload to their lore (they’ll meet five instances this season, no longer counting a potential postseason assembly), OKC will tussle with Milwaukee on Tuesday for the Cup championship. Bragging rights and extra than $500,000 consistent with participant on the prevailing group may be on the road, now not necessarily in that order.
Here are some takeaways from the triumph Saturday that OKC there:
Good protection method terrible offense
We anticipated a duel inside the dirt, each group scrapping for each shot and feeling touch on every move and cut. Both groups take utmost delight of their defense. But this were given a touch ridiculous at times.
Through the game’s first 9 minutes, the Thunder scored simplest 9 factors. Through 12, the teams mixed to shoot thirteen-for-forty seven, along with four-for-22 on three-recommendations. They had 9 turnovers, which weren’t debilitating to both squad because no person was capable of turning even the mistakes into smooth points.
Of course, given the two coaches worried – OKC’s Mark Daigneault and Houston’s Ime Udoka – a bucket saved is well worth extra than a bucket earned. You may want to consider both luckily taking their possibilities with a zero-zero tie that comes all the way down to the very last 24 seconds.
“We’re just seeking to be disruptive and disciplined,” Daigneault stated, perfectly first-class later on with the sloggy first half of. “We have been disruptive tonight. We did a without a doubt true activity on their predominant men. … Our shot-contesting turned into tremendous. Our help was awesome.”
Professional scorer steps up
That form of dirty stymieing can simplest take a group up to now. The difference that emerged inside the 2d 1/2 become Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the slippery Thunder guard who scored 20 of his sport-excessive 32 factors after halftime. He shot 6-for-9 after establishing three-for-12, and his 14 points from the foul line matched or surpassed all however one Houston player.
Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 30 factors in step with sport for the 0.33 consecutive season. These Rockets don’t have each person averaging even 20. When your top 3 scorers combine for 73 and the alternative men’ stall out at 47, the maths receives too daunting.
Daigneault praised SGA for his “unwavering self belief,” that is a euphemism for the dearth of judgment of right and wrong and quick reminiscences the elite scorers have.
Houston’s failure to release
The Rockets may not be on the “Houston, we’ve a problem” stage, however they were an offensive mess Saturday. And it wasn’t just to the Thunder’s credit. They ranked 17th coming in, and regarded rudimentary from start to complete.
The beginning backcourt shot 8-for-29, inclusive of 2-for-19 past the arc. Fred VanVleet scored handiest 8 points. Jalen Green had 12. Houston ranks 18th in 3-point attempts (35.Nine) however became determined to arise 46 this time. On average, it makes 32.2%, better than simplest 3 groups. This night, it turned into 23.9%.
It’s clear Udoka has placed his emphasis on protection, with accurate results. But an offensive order, with cross-to scorers and sets, is a important aspect for which the Rockets still are looking.
Hartenstein stays in his lane
Isaiah Hartenstein’s competition at center Saturday turned into Rockets big man Alperen Sengun, the quite skilled fourth-12 months native of Turkey. Udoka has cited Sengun as a “mini” Nikola Jokić, a nod to his man’s passing and high hoops IQ.
But Hartenstein looked masses clever in scoring 21 on nine-for-12 taking pictures, with eight rebounds. A surgical loose-agent signing from New York, Hartenstein averages a double-double by rolling and commonly making himself to be had to Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams and different Thunder gamers.
OKC was undersized remaining season with slim Chet Holmgren sporting too high-quality a load, at the same time as the team secured the West’s No. 1 seed. Now, while Holmgren comes back from his brutal hip fracture, the Thunder may be capable of torment foes with appears of each kind, consisting of a respectable dual-tower unit.
Stars can be out Tuesday
This being Las Vegas, there had been high-quality personalities inside the house from multiple venues (the Strip, Hollywood and many others.) in music, sports and of direction the NBA. Legends inclusive of Oscar Robertson and Spencer Haywood sat courtside, as did Gary Payton, Rip Hamilton and Blake Griffin. Then there has been former Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah near one bench, who needed to be reminded to tug in legs lest he cause a Shaq-Larry David faux pas.
But the celebs the NBA is maximum keen exhibit for the Cup finale are Gilgeous-Alexander and the Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo, two men in Kia MVP conversations again this season.
