Paul George Leads Thunder to 5th Straight Win, 118-112

Since the biblical ending in those waning seconds in Philadelphia when the waters parted and Paul George carried the Thunder past the Sixers with that improbable rescue—something else has happened…namely the Thunder have gently become PG’s team or at least until Russell Westbrook somewhat finds a balance with his shot and being the father of newborn twins.

You can see it in the faces of the Thunder players. It’s a look in their eyes. A calmness in Paul George’s play which is the polar opposite of the whirling dervish Wild Thing. Like paternal order has overtaken the team since Philly. This could have only been Paul George’s decision. His play to put this team where they should be given the roster Sam Presti put in place. And to Paul George’s credit he’s doing it with a subtle kindness which exudes respect to Russell Westbrook. But it had to happen….and Paul George had to be the person to do it.

The Thunder won their 5th straight including the Philadelphia Miracle by outclassing the Milwaukee Bucks by a score of 118-112 inside the Peake on Sunday evening. Paul George was not only the best Thunder player on the floor, he might have been the best NBA player in action on Sunday. I’ve never seen Paul George better. Total command…those are the two words I’d use to describe his play.

The PG line went 36 points, 13 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals, +18, 8-12 from 3pg range. He was simply the best player on the floor and he knew it.

It was clearly one of the Thunder’s best games of the year, yet I have to write they beat the first place Bucks on a night when Russell Westbrook’s broken shot went 5-20. The notion this Thunder team could win against a contender for being the second best team in the NBA behind the Warriors on a Westbrook shooting performance like this bodes well.

OKC’s defense was good. It was smart. It looked like they had a plan to harass Giannis Antumpoopoo (Oklahoma spelling) every time he touched the ball. The Greek Freak scored 27 points, but he had seven shots blocked and went 8-22 to get those points.

Jerami Grant, Paul George, Terrance Ferguson, Nerlens Noel and Russell all at various times used their length and athleticism to harass the Greek.

All told six Thunder players scored in double figures. All five starters scored in double figures. Only one Thunder player had a negative +/- rating and it was Russell Westbrook at -11.

Billy Donovan used nine players and all nine contributed. The rotations looked like post season rotations. The minute distributions were fine, but at some point Nerlens Noel may need some more minutes to help this team defensively. He was a stud on Sunday night and it can’t be a coincidence the Thunder’s resurgence came when he came back from the nasty blow he took to his head.

Even if Andre Roberson can come back, I’m not sure how Billy Donovan would do it given the defensive and offensive play of Grant, Ferguson, and Noel. All three can defend and make free throws.

Sam Presti finally has his two way shooting guard. He also has a defensive stopper in Noels to come off the bench. He has a sixth man in Dennis Schroder And he has a Jerami Grant who literally gets better every time he takes the floor. These four players players give the Thunder a chance to keep getting better. Plus, Patterson and Nader are giving the Thunder solid minutes at the No. 8 and No. 9 spots in the rotation. Nine is a good way to go that way Donovan can stagger the bench with starters.

Did you notice Ersan Ilyasova on the floor tonight for the Bucks? Not much. That was who Presti traded to obtain Jerami Grant.

It was a good night for Sam Presti.

The Thunder improve to 31-18 and now hit the road for three games starting in Orlando.

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