The Thunder returned back home for the first time since playing on December 6th. That game on the 6th was a great one against the Timberwolves and it seemed as though this game against the Bulls topped that. Both team’s records were close in standings for respective conferences but the Bulls played more games. The Thunder came into this game flat as it looked like they were still on the road somewhere as nothing went their way. The Bulls were clicking on every level and they were able to get anything they wanted in that first half. The Bulls were playing great team ball and they were able to score inside and out with ease. The two players that were making it tough on the Thunder in that first half and throughout the game were Wendell Carter Jr and their leading scorer Zach LaVine. Everything the Thunder tried to do to stop both of them wasn’t working in that first half and when it looked like they did stop them it was a foul. Wendell Carter Jr. has matured and you can see it in his patience when he plays in the paint. Carter Jr. was matched up against Steven Adams and had his hands full all night long. On the other hand for the Bulls their leading scorer Zach LaVine was able to get any and everything he wanted on the night as he finished with 39 points. Zach LaVine was able to score inside and out with anyone that the Thunder put on him as well. The great thing about LaVines game is the fact that he’s grown from just being a dunker and he’s now being utilized as scorer/closer. Zach LaVine was able to put the Bulls on his back throughout the game as they were able to have a 26 point lead at one point. The ball movement for the Bulls was working all night as they finished with 27 assists on the night as a team. All those assists led to some easy baskets which the OKC Thunder didn’t allow them to have in the 2nd half.
In the second half, the OKC Thunder took over, especially in the 4th quarter. The Thunder had only 4 double-digit scorers on the night (Paul, Schröder, Gallinari, Ferguson) but still managed to squeeze out the win. In the second half, you can tell the Thunder came out with a lot more energy and hustle. One person who caught on fire in that 3rd quarter coming out of halftime was Danilo Gallinari as he was able to punish the Bulls from the outside as he finished the game with 22 points. Gallinari even had a monster dunk over Wendell Carter Jr. that got the team hyped and built some momentum. The Bulls didn’t have an answer for Gallinari all night and it was clear that he was going to be able to get whatever he wanted. In the 4th quarter that’s when Chris Paul took over the game and put matters into his own hands. It seems as though CP3 doesn’t need to worry about his scoring as long as he’s getting his teammates involved. Chris gets his teammates into the game flow and then when it’s clutch time he comes to their rescue like tonight. Going into the 4th quarter CP3 only had 11 points and he was able to put on a 3 point shot clinic as he finished with 30 points going 6 of 8 from long range. Chris Paul was able to put the Thunder on his back just like Zach LaVine did for the Bulls. The difference between the two tonight was just who got the late calls down the stretch as those calls ended up going to the Thunder instead of the Bulls. When Chris Paul is playing at this elite level it’s tough for anyone to beat the Thunder and he showed tonight that he can still get it done when called upon.
The Thunder will be facing off against the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday as Ja Morant will be coming into town. The Thunder improved to 12-14 on the season and will be looking for win number 13 Wednesday.
[Nate Billings/The Oklahoman]
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