In the clash at the top between the leader of the Western Conference and its runner-up, Minnesota did not manage to contain, Saturday evening, Oklahoma City (102-97), which brought down thunder on an already refrigerated arena (-17 °C outside the Target Center). Rudy Gobert’s teammates, to whom the Timberwolves staff had decided to replay on a loop the images of the defeat against the same Thunder at the end of December (106-129) – “Our worst match of the season”, slipped the French pivot into the locker room -, however, seemed, after a failed start (15-30, 11th), to have regained the definitive ascendancy (87-78 7 minutes from the buzzer).
Gilgeous-Alexander as with Canada
Naz Reid, one of the favorites for the distinction of best sixth man (18 points, 4/8 from 3 points, 4 blocks), stood out in his team’s weak times. But Chris Finch’s men wasted their lead, when a certain Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, well known to the French team and Rudy Gobert for having dominated them at the last World Cup with Canada (90-60), caught fire at the end of the match. Gilgeous-Alexander chained high-class drives and shots – including one despite Gobert’s excellent defense -, putting his team back in control for good with a spectacular three-point shot after a step back (96-94, 47th ). He finished with 33 points and 6 assists.
Gobert, 18 rebounds in a day without address
On the Minnesota side, Rudy Gobert experienced one of his worst offensive evenings (7 points on 1/6 shooting) of the season, which he compensated for with constant activity on the rebound (18 shots including 4 offensive ones) and several dissuasive and decisive actions which could have made the difference in money-time. His friend in the paint Karl-Anthony Towns added 19 points and 11 rebounds, while Anthony Edwards, well held, had to be content with ten shot attempts (19 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists). Their 21 turnovers ultimately proved fatal to the Wolves, who remain in pole position in the West (30-12). The Thunder are only one length behind (29-13).
2024-01-21 06:05:40
#Oklahoma #City #wins #Minneapolis #irresistible #Shai #GilgeousAlexander
