The question as old as time; what’s better the NHL playoffs or the NBA playoffs? Both are the same format with best of 7 series. The NBA has the stars, the drama and the popularity while the NHL has the chaos, the overtimes and the margins so tight any team can beat one another on any given night. Both playoffs are brilliant right now, the difference is the NBA makes you care about the players while the NHL makes you care solely about survival.
Thunder 123 - Spurs 108 (2-1)
What happened?
The first 3 minutes of this game was all San Antonio. They went on an early 15-0 run and it seemed like this game was over. But the reigning champions did not give up. They slowly inched their way out of the deficit and by early in the second quarter the Thunder got the lead. From there it wasn’t close as OKC kept adding on to their lead and by the end of the game they won by 15. The story of the game was OKC’s bench who got 76 points setting a new franchise record (including Seattle). Jaylin Williams had 18, Caruso had 15, Jared McCain had 24 and Cason Wallace had 11. All of them off the bench. In comparison the Spurs only had 23 points from their bench and that was the difference in this game. SGA shined with 26 points and 12 assists while Wemby did what he could for the Spurs with 26 points on over 50% efficiency. De’Aaron Fox and Dylan Harper both returned from injury but were futile with Fox notably going 1-6 from the 3-point line.
What does it mean?
OKC lead 2-1 and have all the momentum with back to back wins. But the Spurs are still in this, they have home court for Game 4 on Monday and the Frost Bank Center will not be quiet. One win at home and the series is back on, but the west is OKC’s to lose.
The injury twist:
San Antonio finally got Fox and Harper back for Game 3. Both played. OKC’s Jalen Williams was also ruled out with a hamstring injury. The Spurs had every advantage; home court, full roster, injured opposition. OKC won anyway. That should worry San Antonio far more than any stat. When your full lineup can’t beat a Thunder team without their 3rd option the series picture gets a lot darker very quickly. Game 4 is a must-win.
OKC’s depth:
OKC’S bench has been a problem for everyone in both the regular season and now the playoffs. They increased their bench scoring when they brought in Jared McCain at the deadline and their defense off the bench has been one of the best we have ever seen. Athletic defensive guards such as Cason Wallace, Ajay Mitchell and Alex Caruso paired with the scoring of Jared McCain and the shooting of Isiah Joe. This team is so deep, a lineup of just their bench could make the play-in. How will San Antonio counter it? Play their starters more? Mix up their rotation? Only time will tell, but this is a big problem if your the Spurs.
What’s next?
Game 4 is Monday Night in San Antonio, 1am UK time. Spurs 53.1% favorites at home. Must win. Lose this and it’s 3-1 and essentially over.
Numbers don’t lie:
OKC had 76 points off the bench.
OKC shot 45% from 3 as a team.
Dylan Harper and De’Aaron Fox combined for just 21 points.
Wemby only had 4 boards.
Jared McCain had 24 points on only 2 threes.
Daily Recap
NBA
Thunder 123 - 108 Spurs (2-1) Highlights
NHL
Golden Knights 3 - Avalanche 1 (2-0) Highlights
MLB
Yankees 2 - 4 Rays
Brewers 5 - 1 Dodgers
Guardians 1 - 0 Phillies
Mariners 2 - 0 Royals
Braves 5 - 4 Nationals
Golden Knights 3 - 1 Avalanche (2-0)
Vegas are up 2-0 against Colorado and the Avalanche are in serious trouble. Ivan Barbashev scored twice including the winner as the Golden Knights came from behind to win 3-1 in Game 2, scoring three goals in the third period alone. Colorado led 1-0 and somehow still lost at home. Cale Makar, their best defenceman, missed his second straight game with an upper body injury and Colorado’s looked lost without him. Teams with a 2-0 series lead in the playoffs win the series 86.3% of the time. Colorado need a miracle in Game 3 on Las Vegas’s ice. The Avalanche were the best team in the NHL all season. Now they look far from it.
All-Defensive Teams are announced:
All-Defense First Team: Victor Wembanyama, Chet Holmgren, Derrick White, Ausar Thompson, Rudy Gobert.
All-Defense Second Team: Bam Adebayo, OG Anunoby, Scottie Barnes, Dyson Daniels, Cason Wallace.
The NBA announced it’s All-Defensive Teams last night and there were no surprises. Victor Wembanyama was the unanimous pick with all 100 voters placing him on the first team. The Thompson twins made history as the only pair of twins with all defense votes, with Ausar on the first team and Amen narrowly missing out. OKC were also the only team with multiple players on the teams with Chet on the first team and Cason on the second.