An NBA matchup, a clash of the top four in the West, and a pinnacle matchup with 9 consecutive wins!On December 22, Beijing time, the Thunder sat at home and ushered in a Clipper that has been unstoppable in the near future. For the Clippers, it's already a jaw-dropping nine-game winning streak, climbing from 12th in the West to 4th in the West. However, in the face of the Thunder, a team that is firmly in second place in the West, whether they can continue the pace of victory has become the focus of attention of all fans.
Ahead of this highly anticipated game, the Clippers have been doing well in recent times. He has a 17-10 record and 14 wins in his last 17 games, including an impressive nine-game winning streak. Harden regained control of the ball and breathed new life into the team, while Leonard averaged 29 points per game on a winning streak and shot 61 from the field3%+56.8%, with a goal difference of 106 points, amazing efficiency. However, there was an unexpected surprise in this game - Leonard took a rotation, ending his record for full attendance this season.
For the Thunder, they've been sitting in second place in the West for some time. Alexander's all-round performance has made him a popular candidate for MVP, averaging 30 per game7 points, 57 rebounds, 64 assists, 28 steals, offensive and defensive integration. The team's overall performance is also very good, with 10th in the league in offensive efficiency and 3rd in the league in defensive efficiency, and all the statistics show the team's stability.
At the beginning of the game, Holmgren scored seven points in a row from outside, Alexander hit a mid-range shot, and Giddey was on fire from the outside. Zubac and George fought back, but the Thunder's Dort and Giddey's three-pointers stabbed the Clippers in the soft underbelly like a deadly needle. Willis and Harden had an offensive battle, but Alexander's onslaught sank steadily, and Joe's three-pointer at the end gave the Thunder a 29-35 lead.
The Thunder's Holmgren continued to exert his power, hitting the basket in succession. Dort, Williams and other players scored goals one after another, gradually widening the difference. Harden finally ushered in an outburst, hitting three-pointers, and Wei Shao also showed strong scoring ability. However, Alexander slammed firmly to the basket, and Joe's three-pointer held the Thunder lead. At halftime, the Clippers temporarily trailed 59-64.
Halftime statistics were released, Harden had 23 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists, George had 22 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists, and Wei Shao had 15 points, 13 rebounds and 4 assists. Alexander, on the other hand, scored 31 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 steals and 2 blocks, and his dominance of the whole game cannot be ignored.
At the beginning of the second half, Harden fed Coffey a three-pointer, and then Harden's individual performance unfolded, and the dawn of overtaking finally lit up the Clippers. However, the three-point firepower of Holmgren and George allowed the Thunder to pull away again. Alexander didn't show weakness, scoring nine points in a row and an 8-0 run to stretch the deficit to double digits. Holmgren, Dort and others took turns, and the Thunder's offensive firepower made the Clippers tired to deal with, and at the end of the third quarter, the Thunder led 109-92.
At the beginning of the final quarter, Dort scored 6 points in a row at the beginning, and the Thunder's offensive firepower remained unabated. The Clippers fought back, but Alexander was once again in a hurry, scoring six straight points to kill the game. In the end, the Thunder won 134-115, ending the Clippers' nine-game winning streak.
Alexander: The absolute star of this game!Alexander had 31 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 steals, and 2 blocks, giving full play to his ability on both ends of the floor. His performance not only contributed to the Thunder's winning streak, but also made him one of the focal points of the MVP discussion.
Harden: Despite his poor three-point shooting in this game, Harden still scored 23 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists, showing his versatility on the offensive end. However, in Leonard's absence, Harden is also under more defensive pressure.
George: George had a mediocre performance in this game, with 14 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and seemed to be affected by injuries. With Leonard resting, George failed to shoulder the team's greater responsibility.
After a nine-game winning streak, the Clippers need to recalibrate. First, Leonard's rest has made the team realise the limitations of relying on a single star, so the attacking pressure needs to be better spread in future games. Second, Harden will need to look for better offensive combinations, especially against high-intensity defenses. Finally, the team as a whole needs to better adapt to Leonard's absence and adjust tactics to better meet the challenges ahead.
The end of a nine-game winning streak, Alexander's outburst, and the Clippers' performance without Leonard all made this game a highlight of the season. The team will face more challenges in the future, and the fans will also have the privilege of witnessing a fierce matchup. In this match, Alexander streaked across the night sky like a shooting star, bringing unforgettable moments to the fans. This may be just one chapter of the season, but it's enough to look forward to more exciting chapters ahead.