There is no doubt that the Oklahoma City Thunder’s brutal playoff blowout (the worst blowout in its franchise history) is painful.
But what is the reason behind it? Very simple.
“It’s not complicated,” Chet Holmgren said. “Where they want to go, they get there. They do what they want to do. We didn't stop them.”
About summary. The Timber Wolves had control of the game from the start, and the Thunder never really found their foothold, OKC coach Mark Digneault admitted.
“They stepped on the gas tonight and we can never give ourselves any appeal in the game,” said head coach Deniatt. “I think their defensive pressure and their physical condition must be early.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who has been dominant in the first two games, hit the wall.
He ended the night with just four of 13 shots, giving up four turnovers and barely hits – with only four free throw attempts after 29 games in the first two games.
“For most of the game, we took the ball out of the net, so they could come back and defend for the defense,” explains Gilgeous-Alexander. “And I don't care who you are in the NBA – against good defense, if they set the score, it's hard to score. In the last two games, that's not that. We were able to stop and run and play.
Defensively, the Thunder are the shadow of the team, winning the league's top spot in the category.
They made Minnesota score 57.3% of the shots and more than 50%. Worse, OKC forced only 10 turnovers – they were at their lowest position in the playoffs so far.
“You're punched, you're back.” “It's about responding, and that's the next challenge. We're punching in our mouths tonight. Next game, we're either going to stand up or not anymore [and] We will lose the game. We have a decision to make. ”
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