Josh Giddey’s Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder are legit. And so is the disrespect the NBA nonetheless holds for him.
The Aussie was “not in the identical zip code” as his defender Jusuf Nurkic throughout one key second within the Thunder’s 118-110 win over Phoenix on Monday (AEDT).
It was one other signal of how little opponents care about his capturing, and on that event Nurkic was proper to take action, with Giddey lacking the three.
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Nevertheless Giddey went on to make two threes as a part of a ten level night time, taking part in 19 minutes within the victory and exhibiting he can at the very least generally punish opponents.
Nurkic had a outstanding 31 rebounds however it wasn’t sufficient as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 35 factors, 9 assists and eight rebounds led the Thunder.
Kevin Durant had simply 20 factors on six of 15 capturing.
NBA Wrap: Tatum talks up Celtics | 02:41
BOSTON IS JUST THAT DAMN GOOD
Look out, Denver Nuggets.
If it wasn’t apparent sufficient already, the Boston Celtics are the largest threats to the reigning champions going back-to-back this season.
And whereas the Nuggets, who’ve gained six video games because the All-Star break, deserve loads of respect as defending champions it’s not arduous to see why Boston is favoured to win its first title since 2008.
In fact, Boston has been in and across the championship image the final 5 seasons, going to the Convention Finals twice whereas additionally taking place to Golden State within the NBA Finals.
However this feels totally different and this seems to be totally different.
Simply ask the Warriors, who had turned a nook lately to stand up the Western Convention standings and firmly into the playoff image.
Golden State had gained 13 of its previous 16 video games earlier than working into Boston on Monday morning. It was presupposed to be an early litmus check of types — and the outcomes had been resounding.
The Warriors had been no match for the Celtics, who ran up a rating to take the biggest halftime lead (82-38) in franchise historical past, ultimately happening to win 140-88.
It was the biggest regular-season lack of Steph Curry’s profession in keeping with ESPN’s Kendra Andrews, whereas Boston grew to become the primary crew in NBA historical past to win three video games by over 50 factors in a season.
The numbers at halftime laid out simply how dominant Boston was, capturing 60.0 and 62.5 per cent from the sector and downtown respectively in comparison with simply 34.9 and 16.7 for Golden State.
Celebrity duo Jaylen Brown (25 factors) and Jayson Tatum (22) mixed to outscore the Warriors by themselves whereas Derrick White had 11 factors and 6 assists within the first half.
What made Boston’s blowout opening half much more spectacular was the very fact it got here with out Kristaps Porzingis, who missed Monday’s sport with a left quad contusion.
Richard Jefferson described it as a “good half of basketball” from the Celtics, declaring that they had put all the league on discover.
“That is possibly nearly as good as any crew has performed within the first half this season,” Jefferson stated.
“I believe all the league must be watching what the Boston Celtics are doing and understanding that they’re the crew to beat.
“I perceive that the Denver Nuggets are the defending champions however to me there isn’t any higher menace to them actually happening a run and successful a pair than what the Boston Celtics are presenting this season.”
“They’re so jaw-droppingly good proper now, you simply really feel the necessity to maintain exclaiming [that fact]. They’re simply in such an unbelievable rhythm proper now,” Ryan Ruocco added.
“Up and down the roster, Brad Stevens must be enamoured with the best way this squad is taking part in.”
It wasn’t simply on the offensive aspect of the ball that the Celtics had been excelling, additionally placing the clamps on Curry, who missed all 9 of his 3-point makes an attempt within the half.
“They’re simply harassing him… he’s simply not seeing any daylight,” Jefferson stated.
Golden State’s 38 factors had been the fewest it had scored in any half this season whereas the 82 scored by Boston was essentially the most it had given up.
KNICKS HOLDING BREATH AFTER SCARY BRUNSON INCIDENT
It was the scariest scene doable for Knicks followers: Jalen Brunson leaving the courtroom with an obvious non-contact harm.
Brunson, the purpose guard who held the Knicks collectively all season, rose for a jumper and gave the impression to be in ache as he lifted off, touchdown with shock and discomfort on his face earlier than throwing up an airball within the opening minute of Sunday’s sport in opposition to the Cavaliers.
The sight was rather more scary than the official replace from the Knicks, who, in the course of the second quarter, referred to as Brunson “questionable” to return with a sore left knee.
The origin of the harm remained unclear as Brunson sat for the rest of the primary half, by no means re-emerging from the locker room.
Though he was untouched by defender Isaac Okoro whereas lifting for the jumper, an prolonged replay confirmed Brunson banged his leg on Isaiah Hartenstein as he ran across the display.
He elevated in ache on the identical possession, a number of seconds after the collision with Hartenstein.
Brunson limped to the 3-point line, held his knee/shin space and referred to as for a sub.
A coach emerged and helped carry Brunson off the courtroom, together with teammate Treasured Achiuwa.
Brunson couldn’t put weight on his left foot, which gave means as he was helped into the locker room.
The Knicks introduced Brunson has a sore left knee and is questionable to return.
A chronic absence from Brunson could be a catastrophe for the Knicks, who’re already down Julius Randle and OG Anunoby due to accidents.
However neither is as necessary as Brunson, who’s the crew’s main scorer and placing collectively a season worthy of All-NBA consideration.
He entered the night time averaging 27.7 factors and 6.7 assists, lower than a month faraway from his first All-Star look.
The 27-year-old Brunson has performed in 57 of a doable 60 video games this season regardless of two sprained ankles earlier within the season.
Miles McBride subbed out Brunson and performed the rest of the primary quarter.
The Knicks are already within the strategy of signing pending free agent Shake Milton, some extent guard who was lately waived by the Pistons.
However Milton couldn’t start to exchange Brunson with 22 video games remaining within the season. The Knicks entered Sunday fourth within the East however simply 1 ½ video games out of the eighth seed, establishing the potential of a fast collapse if Brunson is out for some time.
Earlier than the sport, Cleveland coach JB Bickerstaff defined how the Knicks’ offense goes by way of their level guard.
“With out Randle it’s plenty of Jalen Brunson, not that he wasn’t closely concerned, however the majority of their stuff goes by way of him and clearly he’s confirmed that he’s able to carrying a crew,” Bickerstaff stated.
Nuggets win NBA finals rematch | 01:04
CLIPPERS, SIXERS SCORE CRUCIAL WINS
Elsewhere, the Minnesota Timberwolves fell from the West lead after dropping at house 89-88 to the Los Angeles Clippers.
Kawhi Leonard’s two free throws with 13 seconds remaining gave the Clippers an 89-86 lead. Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards drove to the basket for a dunk with three seconds remaining however by no means bought the ball again.
Leonard led the Clippers with 32 factors whereas James Harden went 0-for-10 from the ground, 0-for-6 from 3-point vary, and had solely 4 factors.
Edwards led Minnesota with 27 factors.
At Dallas, Mavericks star Luka Doncic posted a triple double in a dropping trigger because the visiting Philadelphia 76ers took a 120-116 triumph.
Tobias Harris scored 28 factors, Tyrese Maxey added 24 and Kelly Oubre Jr. had 21 off the bench for the Sixers (35-25), who stay with out injured reigning NBA MVP Joel Embiid.
Doncic completed with 38 factors, 11 rebounds and 10 assists whereas Kyrie Irving added 28 factors for Dallas, which fell to 34-27, eighth within the Western Convention.
— AFP