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

    Vaseline Posted on

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

    Lu Dort, a rugged defenseman who made his bid as the most prominent presence in the Thunder’s 137-114 cage match victory against the Trail Blazers on Friday night in Portland, instilled so much fear in Portland’s ballhandlers and wings — even the big Men.

    Ask DeAndre Ayton.

    Midway through the third quarter, as momentum escaped the Blazers, Dort left his feet as Ayton rose with what looked like an easy inside basket. Dort jumped on the ball and hung on the ball, almost doing a chin-up with Ayton’s reach. It ended in a jump ball, a shocking scene that punctuated a breathtaking sequence from Dort.

    “Lu Dort type stuff,” Aaron Wiggins said.

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

    Power swipes, stripping players of all shapes and sizes, swallowing assets before they even really started. Friday’s match was physical, something Vince Macmahon would once have drooled over, and Dort was the facilitator.

    Portland finished the first half with just four turnovers – an anomaly on this Thunder team – and a confidence that only a twelve-pack of beer could provide. It ended the third quarter with 12 sales in the period.

    By then, the Thunder had chipped away at a 21-point lead.

    Dort took the life out of a building that was crawling with them just minutes before the guard’s choke order.

    Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams with signature performances

    For four games, the Thunder offense had waited to take shape. To be shaped by the masterful hands that turned it into a top model a year ago. Or at least not to be overshadowed by his defense, perhaps inevitable with such fearsome defenders.

    Most of all, OKC could have used its All-Star caliber scorers. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, with his consistent output, slippery drives and a dribbling cadence that only he can move to. Jalen Williams, with his cartoonish wingspan and knack for hard shots.

    In each attempt to expand their games, neither was exactly an example of consistency during OKC’s start. At least not by Gilgeous-Alexander standards. But Friday gave them the space to find their way back.

    SGA finished with a game-high 30 points (12 for 18), with seven rebounds and six assists.

    He made just one of his six three-point attempts, but after taking charge with a pair of signature drives to start the game, Gilgeous-Alexander balanced the best parts of his arsenal as he continued to test his newfound volume.

    Williams’ volume, even in his increase, hasn’t necessarily been out of line. And on Friday, the basketball gods rewarded him.

    The third-year forward drilled four of his six threes, several of which were off the dribble. He scored 22 points on 8-for-12 shooting, an efficient glimpse into what Williams can be most nights, made especially acute by Holmgren’s foul trouble.

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

    That’s not just granting neon lights to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams from deep. On Friday, the Thunder drained – and made – a number of 3s that were inconsistent with the season.

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

    On Friday, the Thunder got a little bit of it from everyone. Isaiah Joe, the highest-rated shooter on the payroll, went 3 for 8. Cason Wallace and Aaron Wiggins each went 3 for 5 from deep.

    Even rookie Ajay Mitchell joined the program, shooting 2 for 3. Nine OKC players made a 3.

    The Thunder’s second-highest total through these first five games is 41. But perhaps Friday, eclipsing much of the single-game volume from a season ago, will be a harbinger 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: OKC Thunder center suffers setback with hamstring strain

    What time is Thunder vs. Trail Blazers

    • Date: Friday November 1
    • 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
    • Watch online: Fubo (free trial)
    • Radio: WWLS 98.1FM

    More: OKC Thunder Predictions: Can Shai Gilgeous-Alexander & Co. win the NBA title in 2024-2025?

    Thunder vs. Trail Blazers Odds

    Odds available via BetMGM from Friday, November 1

    Chances: Thunder at 11.5

    Top/bottom: 221.5

    Moneyline: OKC-650 | Portland +450

    More: How the OKC Thunder roster was built 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, S.F
    • Ajay Mitchell, S.G.*
    • Alex Reese, PF
    • Nikola Topić, PG
    • Cason Wallace, S.G
    • Aaron Wiggins, S.G
    • Jalen Williams, S.G
    • Jaylin Williams, PF
    • Kenrich Williams, PF

    *-two-way contract

    More: What does the new OKC Thunder arena look like? Why architect David Manica is not yet certain

    OKC Thunder schedule

    October 24: Thunder 102, Nuggets 87

    October 26: Thunder 114, Bulls 95

    October 27: Thunder 128, Hawks 106

    October 30: Thunder 105, Spurs 93

    November 1: in Portland, 9 p.m

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

    November 4: Orlando, 8:15 p.m

    November 6: in Denver, 8 p.m

    More: OKC Thunder Bold Predictions: What Will Chet Holmgren and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Do?

    Highlights of Thunder vs. Trail Blazers

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