On December 19, Beijing time, the NBA regular season continued. The Thunder led the Grizzlies by 28 points in the third quarter, and the game lost suspense early, and finally the Thunder defeated the Grizzlies 116-97 at home, winning two in a row and sending the opponent to a fifth straight defeat.
For the Thunder, Alexander had 30 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals, Holmgren had 17 points, 6 rebounds and 7 blocks, and Giddey had 16 points and 12 rebounds. For the Grizzlies, Bane had 17 points and 5 assists, Jackson Jr. had 11 points and 5 rebounds, and Zaire Williams had 19 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists off the bench.
In this game, the Thunder's three young Alexander, Holmgren and Giddey performed well, they combined for 63 points, 27 rebounds, 12 assists and 11 blocks, showing strong offensive and defensive capabilities. Alexander was the Thunder's leading scorer, scoring 30 points in the third quarter to break his personal single-game scoring record. Holmgren is the Thunder's interior patron, and he completed six blocks in the second quarter, setting a new personal record for blocks in a single quarter. Giddey is the Thunder's all-around guard, and he has excellent contributions on both ends, especially when it comes to rebounding, and he is the rebounding leader of the game.
As for the Grizzlies, the team's form has dropped significantly, and they have suffered a five-game losing streak and dropped out of the top eight in the West. In this game, only Bane and Jackson Jr. scored double-doubles in the Grizzlies' starting five, and the other three combined for only 13 points. The team's leader, Morant, was sidelined with an injury, and his absence left the team's offense in a difficult situation, with no one able to step up and take responsibility. Off the bench, Zaire Williams was the team's leading scorer with 19 points, but his efforts couldn't change the team's decline.
The Grizzlies' defense was also a mess, as they allowed the Thunder to hit 11 three-pointers for a whopping 47 percentage8%。They didn't have any advantage on the inside, as they grabbed 51 rebounds by the Thunder, including 15 in the frontcourt. They trailed by 28 points at one point in the game, and although they recovered some points in garbage time, they could not avoid a heavy defeat.
The Thunder's win put them in third place in the West, and their record reached 16-8, behind the Timberwolves and Nuggets. The Thunder are the biggest dark horses in the West this season, ranking in the top five in the league in offensive and defensive efficiency, and their shooting percentage is also in the top three in the league. They don't have a star squad, but they have excellent teamwork and execution, and their coach Williams is also a good tactician.
The Thunder's trio of Alexander, Holmgren and Giddey are the future of the team, and their growth rate is amazing. Alexander is already a superstar in the league, he can step up and score in crunch time, and he can lead the team with both offense and defense, and he is expected to challenge for the MVP award. Holmgren is one of the best interior players in the league, his offensive and defensive versatility, his big-picture vision and playmaking skills are also great, and he is expected to challenge for the best defensive player award. Giddey is an all-around defender who has excellent contributions on both ends, especially with his rebounding ability, and he is expected to challenge for the Rookie of the Year award.
The Thunder's three young people have proven their strength, they still have a lot of potential and room for improvement, and their future is promising. If they can maintain this form and momentum, they will be expected to challenge for a higher ranking and even challenge for the supremacy of the West.
The Thunder beat the Grizzlies at home, with three less powers, Alexander 30+9 Holmgren 17+6+7, and the third in the West is expectedIt's a game to watch for showcasing the Thunder's strength and potential, as well as exposing the Grizzlies' problems and predicaments. The Thunder's three young stars are the NBA's rising stars, their growth is exciting, and their future is desirable. Morant, the leader of the Grizzlies, is the hope of the NBA, his injury is a concern, and his return is a cause for anticipation. It's a match, it's a game for the future, so let's wait and see