The Oklahoma City Thunder were coming off their loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday and wanted to get back in the winning column. This will be the first of two games this week against the Phoenix Suns and it’s one they would want to forget about. Paul George was shooting lights out from the field and was able to get anything he wanted tonight. Since Russell Westbrook went down with his left sprained ankle Paul George has led the charge scoring 58 points in those three games. Tonight against the Phoenix Suns he would continue that pace as PG-13 went for 32 points on 11-19 shooting from the field. The leadership and aggressiveness that Paul George has played with while Westbrook has been sidelined has been impressive. Overall the team has played outstanding as a whole unit from the starters to the second unit. The Thunder are starting to find their chemistry and it was on full display against the Suns. Oklahoma City 48% from the 3 point line and 47% from the field. The Suns weren’t able to put the fire out at all tonight as OKC got it going early and didn’t look back. Dennis Schroder was able to get things going offensively as well in the second half finishing with 20 points. The floater was working for Dennis and he was being very aggressive on the defensive end as well.
One of the big bright spots in the game was the fact that the Thunder were feeding Steven Adams in the paint as he was able to post up rookie Deandre Ayton with ease. Steven was pump faking Ayton and outrebounding the rookie and that set the tone for the evening inside the paint. Steven Adams finished with 18 points and was able to hold Deandre Ayton to only 14 points on the night. The Suns had their rising star Devin Booker in the lineup and he showed a lot of heart and was still able to find his shot. Devin Booker was being guarded by Paul George majority of the night and he was able to finish with 19 points on the night. Booker has so much talent and once this Suns team finished their identity they could make a push if they get some games together. The Suns just couldn’t get back into this a close range in this game as they allowed OKC to shoot season highs. The Thunder had 3 players that were in double figures George, Adams, and Schroder. All three of them have been able to build chemistry and have learned each other’s hot spots on the court. Schroder to Adams on the pick and roll has been a thing of beauty and Deandre Ayton wasn’t able to stop it. Schroder has improved his passing in transition and has been able to find Paul George in rhythm with ease as of late. Overall the Thunder have been able to string together 8 of 9 wins in the last 9 games and look to be getting things together on the court. Some people will say the schedule helps the Thunder but they have played great basketball and have been clicking on all cylinders as a team even without Westbrook.
Oklahoma City and Phoenix will play again on Saturday in Phoenix as the Suns will try to get revenge on OKC after this game. The Thunder will play against the Knicks on Wednesday before they hit the road as they try to improve to 9-5 on the season in that game.
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