Thunder Hold Off Scrappy Magic

OKC 105 ORL 99

Poor Orlando. Already down Paolo and Franz, the Magic (17-12) lost Jalen Suggs to an ankle injury while he kickstarted a noble but futile second half comeback attempt against the Thunder (21-5). Suggs' initial ankle injury preceded a 10-1 run by OKC to end the half up 65-46. In that first half, Shai was merciless, going 10-11 and scoring 24 easy peasy points with an array of crafty footwork and shot artistry that made me wonder: why aren't we comparing him to Kobe?

Suggs (temporarily) returned to start the third, and the gritty Magic held OKC to just 17 points in the frame. But after letting Orlando narrow the gap to 86-83 with 10 minutes remaining, a non-SGA unit finally played with some force. In a decisive string of possessions, JDub (who struggled and then some, shooting 5-15) punished Orlando's defenders in the paint and at the rim, and Isaiahs Joe and Hartenstein diced the Magic up for a 96-86 lead as SGA checked in to finish things off.

The Thunder are playing well, but their warts are showing on offense. Even if travel and exhaustion are more to blame for OKC's offense sputtering again tonight, the consensus feels right: there are often too many connectors and not enough play-makers on the court. But Shai is on yet another level, elevating an offense that has been pedestrian without him. 35/6/4 with 6 stocks. Another level. And the Thunder defense rewarded him again tonight, clamping down the Magic for, save a few runs, the game's entirety. It ain't pretty, but this is how the Thunder win.

Next up: No rest for the weary. OKC heads to Miami to finish up this tight back-to-back.