All season lengthy, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder had been quietly one of many higher clutch groups within the NBA. They had been once more Monday night time and it might have saved their season.
SGA took management of the sport within the fourth quarter after the Thunder offense regarded dazed and confused for a lot of the night time. Gilgeous-Alexander acquired some assist from Jalen Williams within the fourth — and, in contrast to Dallas, Oklahoma Metropolis hit its free throws late — which proved to be sufficient.
In a “how did t”at occur” form of recreation — the form of ending that may flip a collection — the Thunder left Dallas with a 100-96 win Monday, tying up the collection 2-2 heading again to Oklahoma Metropolis for Sport 5.
“[Gilgeous-Alexander] took that factor by the horns there late,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault mentioned postgame.
Oklahoma Metropolis gained this recreation with their clutch play — or Dallas fell aside, in the event you ask them. Within the fourth quarter:• OKC was 7-of-7 from the free throw line, Dallas was 6-of-11 (54.5%)• OKC shot 4-of-8 from 3, Dallas 1-of-5.• The Thunder had been 2-of-4 from 5 factors on second-chance pictures.
What is going to preserve Jason Kidd up at night time is the missed free throws — Dallas was 12-of-23 from the stripe for the night time. That features Luka Doncic, who had a tough night time — 18 factors on 6-of-20 taking pictures — and missed the primary of two free throws with 10.1 seconds left that, if he had made each, would have tied the sport.
“We have simply started working on our free-throws. We solely shot 52%. It is unacceptable,” Doncic mentioned.
For a lot of the night time, it regarded like Dallas’ protection would win the day. Oklahoma Metropolis shot 1-of-11 from 3 within the first half, however the true challenge was they had been additionally taking pictures 36% total within the paint and 40% within the restricted space — Dallas’ protection was taking away all the pieces and had SGA and the Thunder wished to do (and had executed all season). Thunder gamers had been giving up attractiveness anticipating with the following cross a teammate would result in an excellent one, however the Mavericks shut out quick and switch these into contested seems.
The counter turned out to be a extra aggressive Gilgeous-Alexander.
