Danilo Gallinari’s 29 points led the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 123-118 road win over the New Orleans Pelicans to close out the pre All-Star Game portion of the season.
Rookie Zion Williamson led the Pels with 32 points and kept New Orleans in the game until around the eighteen second mark of the game. It was an exciting game with fairly good flow throughout and with the win the Thunder head into the All-Star break on a high note with a record of 33-22 which puts the Thunder in the No. 6 Seed.
For a team which wasn’t supposed to even be trying to win games this late in the season…this was kind of a big game for the Thunder as they broke a two game losing streak.
All told Six Thunder players scored in double figures. Dennis Schroder, Shai G. Alexander, Steven Adams, Chris Paul, and Mike Muscala all scored timely baskets to give Gallinari enough offensive support to lead the Thunder to their eighth straight road win which is a franchise record for the Thunder while in Oklahoma City.
Steven Adams looked better physically running the floor and hit his first three pointer of the season swishing a last second three to end the first half giving the Thunder a four point lead at intermission.
With 27 games left in the regular season after the break the Thunder would need to go at the minimum 17-10 to reach the 50 win plateau which would be the first time since Kevin Durant’s last season in Oklahoma City the Thunder would have done as such.
For Steven Adams the break would appear to be timely as it should give him a chance to get his body healthy and some bounce back in his step. With a refreshed Adams and no key injuries the 50 win plateau shouldn’t be a pipe dream. This team’s smarts, free throw shooting, and ability to play on the road should give this team a chance to fight for the No. 6 seed or maybe even the No. 5 seed depending on how Houston holds together without Clint Capela.
As far as the trade deadline, the Thunder held pat with Gallinari and I think were wise in doing so. Presti can at the worst sign and trade or at the best resign Gallinari to a three year deal which he was seeking at the deadline.
From my conversations with Thunder fans throughout the city it’s been the same response as in….. thrilled. The fans and the city are thrilled to have a team which in one season has gone from one of the dumbest teams in the league to one of the most intelligent poised teams in the NBA.
Two words, as in…… Chris Paul.
The break will give me some time to work on the Melania FLOTUS Slovenian Secret Diaries. As an aging white male in Oklahoma I think this fairly well sums up what Little Donalt has done to my emotional stability in three years.