The Oklahoma City Thunder stopped a two-game losing skid against the Portland Trail Blazers, recording a 109-99 win. This was the third game in a row in which OKC was close to the opponent in the last part of the game and this time achieved a victory.

OKC needed to get back on track against Portland, but the first eight minutes of the game didn’t show that. The Trail Blazers got off to a fast 23-13 start against Oklahoma City, but Isaiah Hartenstein, playing in his first game of the season, and Alex Caruso kept OKC trailing by just two.

Caruso opened the scoring in the second quarter and the Thunder soon took the lead. A major contribution to the first half battle came from the perimeter, where OKC went 4-for-16 to start the game. The only marks in the first period came from Caruso, Ajay Mitchell, Jalen Williams and Aaron Wiggins. Alternatively, Portland shot 8-for-19 in the half.

Although they led 47-44 at halftime, an ugly start to the game from star guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander didn’t help the Thunder’s cause. He started the game 2-for-11 from the field, scoring just six points and grabbing two rebounds. Two of his points came on his lone trip to the free throw line and he didn’t connect on either of his two three-point attempts.

Gilgeous-Alexander, who had to get going, fell back on his elite mid-range play to get on the board early in the third quarter. He used a quick spin move and a fadeaway jump shot to get his eighth point of the night and he did the same on the next offensive possession to make it 10.

Portland rookie Donovan Clingan used this game against the Thunder to continue his growth and show his early improvement as a professional. He finished with 10 points and nine rebounds that night, knocking down one three.

The ball movement all night from the Thunder was the reason the lead was close. Everyone on the court, the majority of them guards, puts energy and quick ball movement into the attack to find open shots. They didn’t always fall, especially from the rim, but the consistent and quick passing of the basketball created several open looks.

When Hartenstein was in the game, he showed his passing ability and the offense ran through him. In dribbling handoffs and high post situations, Hartenstein often found his guys and turned the ball over only three times. He also added 13 points, 14 rebounds and three blocks to his first stat line as a member of the Thunder.

Both teams went all out in the third quarter, with Portland’s swarm defense and neither team able to make shots. OKC led 70-69 with the final quarter to play.

In the fourth quarter the score continued to go back and forth and both teams struggled on offense. OKC needed its stars to lead the offense and that’s exactly what Williams and Gilgeous-Alexander did. Williams scored a defiant one-bucket over Clingan and Gilgeous-Alexander got to the rim and added a free throw, both in the middle of the quarter. This little run put OKC ahead 85-79 with 6:47 to play.

OKC ran away with the game in the last five minutes of the fourth quarter, mainly thanks to Hartenstein’s performance in all facets. His ability to play the role of facilitator, blocking shots and grabbing rebounds was important in OKC’s lead. The Thunder also got a key bench contribution from Caruso, who finished with 17 points and two steals in just 15 minutes of playing time.

As usual, it was Williams and Gilgeous-Alexander who led the way and scored for OKC. Williams finished with 30 points and GIlgeous-Alexander 28, with Gilgeous-Alexander finally finding rhythm in the second half and scoring the ball.

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