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    • Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Thunder roll past the Blazers and improve to 5-0
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    Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Thunder roll past the Blazers and improve to 5-0

    Bronwen Cerys Posted on

    On the third steal, the Moda Center should have rung the Undertaker’s bell.

    Lu Dort, a tough defender who was the featured player in the Thunder’s 137-114 rout of the Trail Blazers on Friday night in Portland, has struck so much fear into Portland’s ballhandlers and wings – even big men.

    Ask DeAndre Ayton.

    Midway through the third quarter, with the Blazers’ momentum waning, Dort left his feet as Ayton came up with what appeared to be a simple inside basket. Dort jumped on the ball and held onto it, almost doing a pull-up with Ayton’s reach. It ended with a jump ball, a harrowing scene that interrupted a stunning sequence from Dort.

    “Lu Dort-type things,” Aaron Wiggins said.

    With center Chet Holmgren in foul trouble and the Blazers within reach after a 44-point second-quarter score, coach Mark Daigneault resorted to a small lineup. With 5:52 left in the third, the Thunder led by just two points. Then Dort reminded OKC who it was.

    Powerful hits, stripping players of all sizes, swallowing up possessions before they even begin. Friday’s game was physically demanding, the kind of product Vince Macmahon would once have drooled over, and Dort was the catalyst.

    Portland finished the first half with just four turnovers — an anomaly for this Thunder team — and a confidence that only a 12-pack of beer could provide. The third quarter ended with 12 turnovers during the period.

    At this point, the Thunder had blown a 21-point lead.

    There, life was taken from a building that was swarming just minutes before the guard’s choking attack.

    Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams with outstanding performances

    For four games, the Thunder’s offense waited to take shape. Sculpted by the masterful hands that made it a top device a year ago. Or at least not be overshadowed by his defense, which is perhaps inevitable with such fearsome defenders.

    OKC especially could have used its All-Star scorers. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, with his consistent performance, his smooth advances and a dribbling rhythm that only he can achieve. Jalen Williams with his cartoon wingspan and talent for hitting hard.

    Although both tried to expand their game offerings, neither was a model of consistency in OKC in the early stages. At least not by Gilgeous-Alexander’s standards. But Friday gave them space to find their way back.

    SGA finished the game with 30 points (12 for 18) and added seven rebounds and six assists.

    He made just one of his six 3-point attempts, but after taking the lead with a pair of signature drives early in the game, Gilgeous-Alexander balanced the best parts of his arsenal while continuing to test his new volume.

    Williams’ volume, while up, wasn’t necessarily out of place. And on Friday, the basketball gods rewarded him.

    The third-year forward made four of his six three-pointers, several of them off the dribble. He scored 22 points on 8-for-12 shooting, an efficient glimpse of what Williams can be most nights, especially bad after Holmgren’s foul trouble.

    If the Thunder have their way, they won’t be left behind in the excessive 3-point revolution.

    That doesn’t just mean Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams getting neon lights from deep. On Friday, the Thunder shot — and made — a season-high number of three-pointers.

    OKC made 19 of its 49 3-point attempts (38.8%) on Friday, a season-high in attempts. The second-most 3s the Thunder shot in a game last season? 49.

    On Friday, the Thunder got a little bit of that from everyone. Isaiah Joe, the most respected shooter on the payroll, shot 3 for 8. Cason Wallace and Aaron Wiggins each went 3 for 5 from long range.

    Even freshman Ajay Mitchell joined the program and shot 2 for 3. Nine OKC players made a 3.

    The Thunder’s next-highest total in those first five games is 41. But perhaps Friday’s eclipse of as many individual games as a season ago is a taste of what’s to come this season.

    More: The early return of OKC Thunder rookie Ajay Mitchell proves Sam Presti right

    More: Jaylin Williams Injury Update: The OKC Thunder center is suffering a setback with a hamstring strain

    What time is Thunder vs. Trail Blazers?

    • Date: Friday, November 1st
    • Time: 9pm CT
    • Where: Moda Center in Portland

    More: OKC Thunder Schedule: Dates, Times, TV Channels for 2024-25 NBA Season

    • TV: FanDuel Sports Network
    • How to watch online: Fubo (free trial)
    • Radio: WWLS 98.1FM

    More: OKC Thunder Predictions: Can Shai Gilgeous-Alexander & Co. Win the NBA Title in 2024-25?

    Thunder vs Trail Blazers odds

    Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Friday, November 1st

    Opportunities: Thunder at 11.5

    Over/Under: 221.5

    Money line: OKC-650 | Portland +450

    More: How the OKC Thunder’s roster was constructed to protect the King: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

    OKC Thunder roster

    • Alex Caruso, PG
    • Ousmane Dieng, SF
    • Luguentz Dort, SG
    • Alex Ducas, SG *
    • Adam Flagler, PG
    • Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, SG
    • Isaiah Hartenstein, C
    • Chet Holmgren, PF
    • Isaiah Joe, SG
    • Dillon Jones, SF
    • Ajay Mitchell, SG *
    • Alex Reese, PF
    • Nikola Topić, PG
    • Cason Wallace, SG
    • Aaron Wiggins, SG
    • Jalen Williams, SG
    • Jaylin Williams, PF
    • Kenrich Williams, PF

    *-Two-way contract

    More: What will the new OKC Thunder arena look like? Why architect David Manica isn’t sure yet

    OKC Thunder schedule

    Oct 24: Thunder 102, Nuggets 87

    Oct. 26: Thunder 114, Bulls 95

    Oct. 27: Thunder 128, Hawks 106

    Oct. 30: Thunder 105, Spurs 93

    November 1st: in Portland, 9 p.m

    November 2nd: at LA Clippers, 9:30 p.m

    November 4th: Orlando, 8:15 p.m

    November 6th: in Denver, 8 p.m

    More: Bold OKC Thunder predictions: What will Chet Holmgren and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander do?

    Thunder vs Trail Blazers highlights

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    Bronwen Cerys
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