The Thunder definitely like to spoil the party in Denver. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is responsible for two of the Nuggets’ three home defeats this season. The first time, the Canadian made a decisive shot 0”9 from the buzzer, on December 16, allowing OKC to win 118-117. During the night from Friday to Saturday, he offered himself a 40-point match to crush Nikola Jokic’s side with a 26-point gap (119-93).
At his side, the young Chet Holmgren (21 years old) continues to impress: author of his team’s first 10 points (24 points in total, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 blocks), he allowed OKC to enter well into the game. “The fact that he’s a threat in so many aspects of the game and he’s the focus of opponents’ attention makes it easier for the guys around him, including myself,” praised Gilgeous- Alexander.
Opposite, Denver still managed to compete in the first half of the match, reaching half-time with a 6-point lead, notably thanks to a great skill from Jokic (9/10 shooting, he finished with 19 points) . But Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr were less effective, and the Serb still conceded 7 turnovers.
With OKC’s big third quarter and a 19-4 including 11 points from Gilgeous-Alexander to lead 88-68 at the start of the last quarter, the matter was already over. The Thunder, who were also able to rely on Josh Giddey with 8 rebounds (12 points and 4 assists), and a little more than two minutes of play from Frenchman Olivier Sarr (2 points), are asserting themselves more and more like a formidable team. With three victories in a row, eight successes in 10 matches, the Thunder snatched second place in the West from the Nuggets.
