Diallo’s Career High 27 Point Performance Wasn’t Enough In OT As The Clippers Win (107-103)
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The Thunder and LA Clippers came into this game already knowing their seeding placement. OKC will start off in the 4/5 matchup against Houston. The LA Clippers locked up the 2nd seed and will be hosting the 7th seed Dallas Mavericks.
OKC Thunder vs Houston Rockets NBA Playoff Schedule l #ThunderUp #OneMission
Game 1: 8/18 at 5:30 PM CT
Game 2: 8/20 at 2:30 PM CT
Game 3: 8/22 at 5 PM CT
Game 4: 8/24 at 3 PM CT
Game 5: 8/26 at TBD
Game 6: 8/28 at TBD
Game 7: 8/30 at TBD pic.twitter.com/5Amt5jpWcJ— SneakerReporter (@TravisSingleton) August 13, 2020
Both teams had a lot of starters out tonight but one person that made his return to the court after leaving the bubble for the Thunder was Dennis Schröder. Dennis was inserted into the lineup and looked like he never left the NBA bubble in the first place. Dennis was able to play 25 minutes in his return and finished with 17 points. You could tell he was a little winded but that was to be expected in his first game back in the bubble. Dennis was able to get his drives, jumper, and floater going in real game time which will go a long way. It was important for Dennis to get some game time in before the playoffs started because of rust.
Dennis started the game alongside Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and both were able to flourish in the small amount of time given. It was good to see Dennis out there because this Thunder team plays with a different type of energy when he’s in the lineup. Schröder’s in the 6th Man of the Year race and tonight showed that it doesn’t matter if he’s starting or coming off the bench he’s lethal on the offensive end. The small plays that he does that impact the game like charges and cheering his teammates will go a long way to this team’s success from the bench unit.
Speaking of the bench tonight Hamidou Diallo went off for a career-high in points with 27 points and even added 11 rebounds. Hami has come into the bubble with a new confidence and swagger that’s been contagious as the Thunder bench unit has stepped up overall. Tonight Hami played a career-high 40 minutes and has shown that he will be a huge part of this bench rotation in the Houston Rockets series. With Dort down for some time look for Diallo and Roberson to be seeing a lot more minutes if he misses time. Hamidou was able to show people that he has a lot more to offer than just dunking on someone under the rim. Tonight he was able to hit some 3 pointers and was able to slash at an elite level.
When Hamidou plays with this confidence he can definitely help OKC out in a big way. One of the things that he has to work on that will come in due time is the maturity to worry about the next play. Hami misses a shot or a defensive read and he shows the frustration but you have to just put your head down and keep pushing for the next play. Hamidou’s still young and the Thunder have a great young core that will be special in the long run especially with the experience that they’re getting in Orlando. Overall this was a game to get everyone ready for the playoffs but the Thunder youth have gained a lot of experience that will help OKC in the postseason. A lot of the players that barely get in the game were able to get some big minutes so they will be ready for anything coming there way.
Terance Mann was the key factor for this win against the OKC Thunder tonight. Mann finished with a career-high in points as well with 25 against OKC. It seemed as though Mann was able to get to the rim whenever he wanted too as he had 10+ free throws. He showed a smooth mid-range game and you can tell he’s been working with Leonard & George on that. Mann has a lot of promise and will be one of those players that will impact this Clippers team for the future in a big way. Mann logged some good minutes tonight and I’m sure he was able to show Coach Rivers that he’s got a lot to offer them for that second unit. The Clippers rested all their starters as they prepare for the Mavericks but it was also good to see Amir Coffey get some time just like Mann. Coffey finished with 21 points in the win as the Clippers went full-on bench mode to rest for the championship run.