Monday Bolts: 11.11.19

It’s Monday, and it’s frigid.  Stay warm with Brandon Rahbar’s recaps from the Thunder’s win over the Golden State Warriors and nail-biting loss to the Milwaukee Bucks.

Maddie Lee (The Oklahoman) gives five takeaways from the Saturday’s victory against the Santa Cruz Warriors.  “The Thunder shot 46.7 percent from the 3-point line, led by Danilo Gallinari, who shot 4-of-6 from downtown. Mike Muscala, who entered the game shooting 1-of-19 from 3-point range this season, made three 3-pointers.”

Joe Mussatto has five takeaways from Sunday’s defeat at the hands of the Bucks.  “The Thunder played admirably against the league’s reigning MVP. In the first half.  But Giannis Antetokounmpo bullied the Thunder in the second half and busted out of his 24-minute slump. He had a highlight soaring slam off a feed from George Hill in the fourth quarter coupled with impossible-to-defend finishes around the rim.”

So, uh, I guess Giannis Antetokounmpo is not a Thunder fan:

It looks like Gallinari is the Thunder’s closer, and he delivered last night with a clutch three to tie the game with 32.2 seconds left:

Also, did anyone else have Nerlens Noel’s life flash before their eyes during this fall?

Can we put this man on a poster?

Seriously.  A poster.  Probably life-size or something.

Erik Horne (The Athletic) dives into the Thunder’s new pick and roll defense.  After years and years of switching, Oklahoma City is employing more and more drop coverage.

Royce Young (ESPN) pays respects to the lost rivalry between OKC and Golden State.  “The Warriors and Thunder have a history. It’s one part shared; it’s another part strife. They have played some of the most memorable games in NBA history, produced some of the league’s greatest moments and, between them, largely controlled the Western Conference for a decade. Their seven-game series in the 2016 Western Conference finals is one of the most dramatic, compelling series of all time, and that was just the beginning of it between the Thunder and Warriors. Kevin Durant left OKC to join Golden State less than two months after Game 7.  But with Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green and Andre Roberson all out injured, Shaun Livingston retired, Andre Iguodala traded, Durant changing teams (again), Russell Westbrook in Houston and Serge Ibaka in Toronto, the only player Saturday who played in that 2016 series is Adams.”

Zach Lowe (ESPN) includes Shai Gilgeous-Alexander among “Ten NBA things” he likes. “His growth in Year 2 has been incredible. Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 22 points and shooting 40% from deep. He has already canned six pull-up 3s after hitting just seven all of last season. He’s a menace on defense, good for a steal and a block per game. His arms are everywhere… [T]his guy looks like a future All-Star.”

Luguentz Dort did some work on Saturday for the Oklahoma City Blue: