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00:00:00So, Giannis, along with Kuzma, A.J. Green, Ryan Rollins, and Gary Harris
00:00:05making his first start in a Bucs uniform in his first year in Milwaukee.
00:00:10Coming off the bench, hadn't been playing a lot, but he gets the start tonight.
00:00:16Milwaukee currently 11th in the East, but in the loss column,
00:00:19they're actually ahead of Atlanta, which is currently in the tenth spot.
00:00:24Bucs have been playing better of late, seven and six in their last 13.
00:00:27Kuzma off target, rebound Mitchell.
00:00:31So, with all the players missing for Oklahoma City,
00:00:34Lou Dort absorbs the assignment of Giannis.
00:00:37.
00:00:42Harris Mitchell has been one of the most improved players in the NBA this season.
00:00:46His scoring average has more than doubled.
00:00:48That one in and out, rebound Giannis.
00:00:50.
00:00:54Rollins, another most improved player candidate,
00:00:56He's had a remarkable season.
00:01:0116 points per game after averaging six a year ago.
00:01:04Kuzma will try another deep ball and another miss.
00:01:08His shot selection has been excellent this year.
00:01:11He has eliminated a lot of those mid-range jumpers,
00:01:14being very specific about spots on the floor.
00:01:18Holmgren drills a three.
00:01:19One of the big differences, as Coach Mark Daytonall told us before the game,
00:01:23is he's not passing up those catch-and-shoot triple trots.
00:01:27You love to see him look so confident on those.
00:01:30Here's a steal on the other end, Mitchell with the slam.
00:01:34And a quick timeout by Doc Rivers.
00:01:38One minute and 32 seconds in, trailing 5-0 here at home.
00:01:42He's seen a noticeable difference in teams using them as a measuring stick
00:01:54and where they may stack up.
00:01:55He did also say there's been some instances where it's gone the other way,
00:01:59particularly early in the season when the Thunder got off to a 24-1 start this season
00:02:04and controlling games.
00:02:05He said you could see teams think to themselves, oh man, that's right,
00:02:08we're playing these guys tonight, Dave and DB.
00:02:11Well, they've been so consistent, even during that stretch where they were 6-6,
00:02:15there was no panic.
00:02:16They knew they were still pretty good and they were going to face adversity at some point.
00:02:20Well, keep in mind, they have had a significant amount of games lost to a variety of different players.
00:02:26Second most lost games to injury.
00:02:29So, I'm never opposed to adversity mid-season, and listen, 23 games in route to a championship,
00:02:37this team has been through the fire, so to speak.
00:02:40I have zero worries, even when they were 6-6.
00:02:43Mitchell with the basket, makes it 7-0 Oklahoma City to start the game.
00:02:48Their offensive foul on H.A. Green on the screen, and now Harris gets Milwaukee on the board.
00:02:52To me, that has to be the thing that keeps Milwaukee in it tonight.
00:02:56Their three-point percentage, can they generate enough of them?
00:02:59Because this is one shot, as we've seen, Oklahoma City does give up.
00:03:04They are so content taking away the paint and taking away corner threes.
00:03:08They're going to give up some threes in other spots.
00:03:12Dort able to answer.
00:03:13He's not been shooting it that well this year.
00:03:15Giannis able to get to the basket, blowing past his man and scoring for his first points.
00:03:20Boy, he just remains such a downhill force to the cup.
00:03:25Career high, 65% shooting.
00:03:28We talked about Dort needing that first one to go down, and he tried it again but couldn't get it.
00:03:34Met by Dort, had to give up the pass, Giannis did.
00:03:38Now Green through the lane, knocked away by Holmgren.
00:03:43Sheik Gilgis-Alexander in transition might have been blocked initially,
00:03:46but he still was able to power that one up and in.
00:03:49And if there's something that's going to push Chet over the line, and I think he should be an all-star,
00:03:53he's a two-way, big-time force for this club, playing a lot at the five without Isaiah Hartstein.
00:04:00I agree with you about being an all-star reserve.
00:04:04You have to think that the Thunder will get two players.
00:04:08Jalen Williams has been hurt for a good part of the year.
00:04:11He's out again, this time a hamstring injury.
00:04:14He'll be reevaluated in a couple weeks.
00:04:16It was a wrist injury, suffered in the playoffs last year as Giannis gets fouled.
00:04:22Holmgren thought that he was fouled by Giannis, but it's a defensive foul.
00:04:29That's on Dort, first on Oklahoma City.
00:04:36But that looked like a push-off by Giannis initially, clearly a foul on Dort,
00:04:40but didn't it look like the first foul was on 34?
00:04:43Unquestionably, to me, that was the left arm of Giannis going right into the chest of Dort.
00:04:49I mean of Holmgren.
00:04:56Giannis Adetokounmpo in his 13th season, 31 years old.
00:04:59The trade deadline, two weeks from tomorrow.
00:05:04A lot of uncertainty around what's next for the Bucs, what's next for Giannis,
00:05:08as they're 18 and 24 on the season.
00:05:13They fall off a cliff on the offensive end when he's not there.
00:05:16He's the only legitimate chance they have to win on a nightly basis.
00:05:20But after Luka Doncic, I'm not saying never for Giannis to be traded mid-season, not just now.
00:05:28He has said at least publicly that he wants to be here,
00:05:31although he's also said when he was asked yesterday, day-to-day,
00:05:35in terms of whether he thinks he'll be here or not.
00:05:37The Bucs have maintained publicly they want to keep Giannis here.
00:05:41He's spent his entire career in Milwaukee.
00:05:45Shot clock down to five.
00:05:46Dort stops, pops, and hits.
00:05:49And it's 14-5, Thunder.
00:05:5314-6, excuse me.
00:05:55Kuzma driving on Holmgren, and rebounded by Wallace.
00:06:04Chet's ability to use his feet, stay in front, absorb the contact,
00:06:09and still challenge, and it's big-time defense.
00:06:11Holmgren bumped off the spot by Harris, and a clear foul there on Gary Harris, his first.
00:06:19And because Chet is not absorbing the Giannis assignment, he's going to guard Kuzma.
00:06:27So that means on the face-up, he's got to be able to get in the stance.
00:06:29But you think about the amount of time he spends at the four when he's playing with the other big.
00:06:34He's sort of accustomed to it.
00:06:36Saw those numbers, career highs for Holmgren as he scores inside his second field goal.
00:06:44And you touched on his defense.
00:06:46He's number one in the NBA in individual field goal percentage defense.
00:06:51Opponents against him, in one-on-one situations, shoot less than 40%.
00:06:57That's three or four challenges for him at the rim already in this basketball game.
00:07:01I believe Ole Miss is, except the one he fouled Giannis on.
00:07:03Oh, he turned it over right there.
00:07:05Giannis up the floor, gets passed Holmgren down the lane,
00:07:08and that hit Holmgren as he slid, lost his footing, out of bounds to Milwaukee.
00:07:13And Holmgren's shaken up.
00:07:20Missed 50 games last year with a hip injury.
00:07:23Missed his entire rookie season with a foot injury.
00:07:25And you see, just slipped on the ball.
00:07:29But staying on the floor.
00:07:35Green catch and shoot three, around and out, rebound Holmgren.
00:07:40Rough start for Milwaukee, two of seven, one of four from three.
00:07:44And trailing by ten, midway through this opening quarter.
00:07:47Shea putting it on the floor, getting through the lane, finding Dort.
00:07:56Shot clock down to four.
00:07:58Skip to Mitchell with two.
00:08:00Mitchell baseline pull-up is good over Kuzma.
00:08:03Come on, A.J. Green battling Shea and doing his job,
00:08:07making Shea Gildress-Alexander a passer.
00:08:09You're taking that deep into the clock.
00:08:11I mean, Milwaukee, that's a pretty good defensive stand.
00:08:14Just a tough shot by Mitchell.
00:08:16Meanwhile, Milwaukee with twice as many turnovers than baskets.
00:08:19Four turnovers, just two field goals, and they trail by 12.
00:08:25Autobounds off Oklahoma City.
00:08:28Isaiah Joe checking in for the Thunder.
00:08:31And their force is depleted tonight.
00:08:33You already mentioned, second in the league in most games missed this year,
00:08:37which is incredible when you consider they're 36-8.
00:08:42Best record in the league by far.
00:08:44Another Milwaukee turnover, the fifth of the opening frame.
00:08:50The Thunder has a two-game lead over Detroit for the best record in the NBA
00:08:55and a six-game lead in the lost column over San Antonio for the best record in the West.
00:08:59Three of the eight losses for the Thunder have come against the Spurs.
00:09:03Shot clock down to three.
00:09:05Step back three.
00:09:06No good for Joe.
00:09:08Giannis with his fourth rebound already.
00:09:13Green, as Joe hits the floor, back to Giannis.
00:09:16And a lot of contact.
00:09:17Offensive foul called on Adetokounmpo is first, and the second offensive foul on the Bucs.
00:09:22Yet another turnover.
00:09:25He's just a mountain up against a team that thrives off of your turnovers.
00:09:31So, Isaiah Joe just waiting in the paint.
00:09:33You know Giannis' mindset, right?
00:09:34He's taking barely a three a game.
00:09:38He has focused on getting to the paint, layups, dunks.
00:09:42But Joe anticipating that makes the right read.
00:09:46We wondered how Milwaukee would come out tonight after beating Atlanta two nights ago,
00:09:51but also in their last home game.
00:09:53They lost by 33 to Minnesota.
00:09:56It was the game where Giannis, after the Bucs were getting booed, decided to boo Bucs fans back.
00:10:02I wondered how sharp this team would be early on, and we have our answer with six turnovers
00:10:09and a three for Mitchell to make it 21 to 6, Oklahoma City.
00:10:12That guy, he is decisive, and I know he was under duress of the shot clock,
00:10:17but it's a catch and go to the rim, catch quick recognition of the clock.
00:10:23Bobby Portis, the NBA leader in three-point shooting, short on that one.
00:10:30Holmgren with air space, can't knock it down.
00:10:34Rebound Anthony.
00:10:38Here's Cole Anthony penetrating as Portis in the corner, but got tied up, and will be a jump ball.
00:10:46Well, just Wallace's individual defensive abilities in the passing lanes, deflections, great hands.
00:10:57Nicole Anthony decides he's going to the bucket, crosses him, actually gets a step.
00:11:02How about the ability to get that ball tied up and force a jump?
00:11:07He had his shoulder passed him, Dave.
00:11:09Second straight year, Oklahoma City number one in the NBA in defense.
00:11:14They win the tip.
00:11:16They lead it by 15.
00:11:18A.J. Mitchell has nine points.
00:11:20That's three more than Milwaukee has as a team, and we are almost eight minutes into this game.
00:11:27Pete Nance checking in for the Bucs, provided some energy in their win against Atlanta on Monday.
00:11:32Joe, deep one, and rebounded by Anthony.
00:11:36These are the minutes Jalen Williams would normally be on the floor running the offense, creating for himself and his teammates.
00:11:47Giannis on the bench, see if Portis can provide an offensive spark, missed a three in his first attempt, got it poked away, ends up in the hands of Green, and just grazes the rim.
00:11:58Their team defense is just special.
00:12:00If there's a mismatch on the post, boy, do they dive and attack.
00:12:03Gorgeous move by Holmgren, switching hands and finishing.
00:12:07How about that move?
00:12:10He's got seven.
00:12:11The lead is 17.
00:12:14The Bucs have more turnovers than points, seven to six.
00:12:17Anthony scores inside.
00:12:22Shea Gilchrist-Alexander's taking one shot.
00:12:25He has two points.
00:12:26He has the Thunder up 15.
00:12:29He's not even on the floor right now, the reigning MVP and finals MVP.
00:12:32The Thunder, as good as they are defensively, multiple offensive weapons.
00:12:38Step back three, Mitchell's got it.
00:12:41This guy is absolutely making a case for most approved.
00:12:46He's got 12.
00:12:49Here's Nance from the corner.
00:12:50He can make that.
00:12:51He's shooting better than 50%.
00:12:55Not a lot of attempts, but he's shown Doc Rivers something.
00:12:59And a timeout with a 15-point lead.
00:13:03This week is NBA Rivals Week as we look at our upcoming national TV schedule.
00:13:07Doubleheader on Prime Video tomorrow.
00:13:09Warriors at Dallas, followed by the Lakers at the Clippers.
00:13:12Prime Video Friday, Houston, Detroit.
00:13:14Denver will be here to face the Bucs.
00:13:16For more, go to NBA.com or visit the NBA app.
00:13:19Oklahoma City leading by 15 over Milwaukee here with three minutes to go in the first.
00:13:24Kenrich Williams with the mid-range shot.
00:13:28And it's a 17-point advantage.
00:13:31Oklahoma City led by 18 and one point earlier.
00:13:39Shot clock inside of 10.
00:13:41Milwaukee with seven turnovers and four field goals.
00:13:45Anthony in the lane.
00:13:46That's his second basket off the bench.
00:13:48Yeah, second one is created off the bounce.
00:13:50Just getting to a little spot to feel comfortable.
00:13:54It's a second possession.
00:13:55Milwaukee looks to go zone here.
00:13:59Oklahoma City, four of nine from three.
00:14:01Williams will let it fly.
00:14:02Not close.
00:14:03Pinball's around.
00:14:04Portis has it.
00:14:06No Giannis right now for Milwaukee.
00:14:08Kildas Alexander on the bench for Oklahoma City.
00:14:10Kuzma through the lane.
00:14:12Finds Portis spinning on Wallace.
00:14:15Williams comes to help.
00:14:16He leaves, Portis shoots and scores.
00:14:20Just size differential there.
00:14:23Wallace does a good job fighting him initially.
00:14:25There's just no chance of him contesting that.
00:14:29First points for Portis.
00:14:30Again, one of the top six men in the NBA.
00:14:36Here's a three from Joe, and it's good.
00:14:41Five of 11 now from three-point range.
00:14:44That's the first hit for Joe.
00:14:45Another Milwaukee turnover.
00:14:47Knocked out of bounds by the Bucs, but that's eight giveaways
00:14:51by Milwaukee in the first quarter.
00:14:56And Kildas Alexander checks back in.
00:14:59Just one shot attempt, two assists.
00:15:01And Oklahoma City going deep into its bench because of all the injuries.
00:15:09Brooks Barnheiser, who just got here, is checking into the game.
00:15:13He's on a two-way contract.
00:15:16This is his 20-second appearance with the big club this season.
00:15:25Kildas Alexander fires to Joe.
00:15:30Joe will stop from mid-range and score.
00:15:32This jumper is really sweet.
00:15:34This guy is a great floor spacer.
00:15:37And you're obviously going to run him off the three-point line.
00:15:39Good use of the bounce down.
00:15:40Anthony Nance spinning on Carlson.
00:15:43Can't put it home.
00:15:45And Carlson, second-year player out of Utah.
00:15:48Another guy in a two-way contract with the rebound.
00:15:54SGA driving, gets to the cup and lays it in.
00:15:57He's just so patient, right?
00:15:58Because he understands, since I can take one shot in the first quarter,
00:16:01I will get mine eventually.
00:16:03You can settle in when you've got the skill level he does.
00:16:07And having guys like Carlson and Barnheiser on the floor doesn't phase him.
00:16:10He hits the open guy regardless of who it is.
00:16:14Three-pointer goes for Nance.
00:16:16He's got two threes here in this first quarter.
00:16:21Entry pass to Carlson.
00:16:22That's exactly what we're talking about right there.
00:16:24Yeah, I mean, listen, they're going Joel.
00:16:26But the last guy you're going to let penetrate the top of the zone is Shea.
00:16:34Nance swings it.
00:16:35Trent for three.
00:16:36No good.
00:16:38Trent did not play the other night.
00:16:40His first DNP coach's decision of the season.
00:16:43He's been struggling with his shot.
00:16:46And averaging under five points per game in the month of January.
00:16:53Killed just Alexander with five as it poked away by Kuzma,
00:16:55but last touched by the Bucs.
00:16:57Four remaining in the quarter.
00:17:01The Bucs tie their season high for turnovers in any quarter with eight.
00:17:04They have just seven baskets.
00:17:07Oklahoma City shooting 70% for the floor and looking to add to a 19-point lead.
00:17:17Inbound knocked away by Kuzma.
00:17:20Collected by SGA, who throws it up and draws a foul.
00:17:27Before walking, the Bucs the largest first quarter deficit of the season.
00:17:32Oklahoma City taking advantage of all those Buc turnovers.
00:17:35Shea Gilgis-Alexander who throws the alley-oop to Carlson.
00:17:38Had just five points in that first quarter, yet the Thunder still shot 70%, put up 38.
00:17:47Giannis Adetokounmpo played seven minutes, took one shot, scored three points.
00:17:51He's still on a minutes restriction, so probably won't play more than 30.
00:17:57And a foul here in Oklahoma City against Barnheiser.
00:18:00It's always interesting to see coaches navigate that.
00:18:03So, 29-ish minutes he's been playing.
00:18:07Seven plus a quarter, how do you distribute those?
00:18:13But as you said, much different team, obviously, with him on the floor.
00:18:1715 and 13 with him, 3 and 11 without him.
00:18:19Nance with the tip and he's provided great hustle off the bench.
00:18:23He's played hard at both ends, been able to make a couple shots.
00:18:29Dr. Rivers said he's incredibly intelligent, can spread the floor.
00:18:33He's got two threes, turnover Oklahoma City, Portis, and he lays it in, plus he got fouled.
00:18:38A chance at a three-point play for 11-year pro Bobby Portis.
00:18:47Yeah, a little casual here with the pass.
00:18:49Bobby was up in position.
00:18:50He actually had his hand in deny before Joe lets loose with that basketball,
00:18:55then compounds it on this end of the floor.
00:18:58Second foul on the Thunder here in the opening minute of the second quarter.
00:19:08Portis averaging 13 points per game.
00:19:12He's got five points, eight for Nance to lead all Bucs scores,
00:19:1712 for A.J. Mitchell, the top Oklahoma City.
00:19:22Holmgren with seven, Dort and SGA with five apiece.
00:19:26Entry pass, Williams, nice catch, Barnheiser.
00:19:30And a foul inside on Milwaukee.
00:19:34Well, it looked like possession going nowhere,
00:19:36and you found him with six ticks on the clock.
00:19:40It's on Anthony, his first, and the first on Milwaukee in the quarter.
00:19:44What a job Mark Dayton has done again in his sixth season,
00:19:47coach of the year two years ago for Oklahoma City.
00:19:51Her average margin of victory last year was the best in the history of the league at plus 13.
00:19:56They're actually better than that this year at plus 13 and a half
00:19:59as Gildas Alexander connects on a three.
00:20:02See how patient his offensive game is.
00:20:05Not forcing shots, letting the game come to him.
00:20:10He's three for three, eight points, five assists.
00:20:14Shot clock inside of ten, Portis with the skip.
00:20:17High catch and shoot, and the three goes for Anthony.
00:20:20You know, they love consistent productivity from either him or Trent.
00:20:28Anthony's got seven.
00:20:29That's more than he averages on the season for an entire game.
00:20:32He averages about 6.4.
00:20:34Williams underneath, weaving through traffic.
00:20:39Shot clock down to three.
00:20:41Williams trying to shake Nance with one.
00:20:44And it's going to be a 24-second violation, although Milwaukee got the rebound.
00:20:48They let him play.
00:20:51Spot up.
00:20:52Kuzma in and out.
00:20:55Well, but Nance continues to play hard.
00:20:57Working on the defensive end and then sprints to the dead corner,
00:21:01that helps create that kind of look.
00:21:04Williams able to hang and score.
00:21:06That was a tough shot, finishing through contact.
00:21:14Kyle Kuzma soaring to the basket and getting the land.
00:21:16Yeah, nice little distribution for Cole Anthony,
00:21:19who's played very good minutes, giving this team a little bit of a lift,
00:21:22trying to stay attached.
00:21:24First point to the game for Kuzma.
00:21:26Carlson up top, three no good, out of bounds to Milwaukee.
00:21:36Ryan Rollins will check in for the Bucs, replacing Trent.
00:21:42No points, three turnovers in the first quarter for Rollins.
00:21:47Let's see if he can settle into the game here.
00:21:49It's been a bit of a struggle the last five games,
00:21:52maybe a little wear and tear, bigger role than he's ever had this year.
00:21:58Got a good look from three, can't knock it down.
00:22:01Well, Miles Turner is out, suffered an ankle injury the other night,
00:22:05but he's day-to-day.
00:22:06Kevin Porter, Jr. is out, an oblique injury.
00:22:09They think that could take some time before he's back on the floor.
00:22:12Shea with a step through and hit with the left hand.
00:22:15Come on, how about the initial blow-by,
00:22:17then the hesitation into the explosion to the cup.
00:22:21That is so well done.
00:22:22Kiyodas Alexander, 10 points, six assists, three goes for Rollins,
00:22:27as he's finally on the board.
00:22:29Rollins, towards with the left hand.
00:22:40Kenridge Williams spots up and connects on a three.
00:22:43How many assists is that now for Shea?
00:22:45Seven.
00:22:45Just a masterful half here.
00:22:48Oklahoma City still at 70% from the floor, and seven of 14 for three.
00:22:55They are 14 of 16 from inside the three-point line,
00:22:59as Milwaukee turns it over for the ninth time.
00:23:03That's just the kiss of death against this team.
00:23:07If you're jump passing, if you're leaving your feet against this team
00:23:11and trying to complete passes, I'd be uncomfortable if I'm your head coach.
00:23:1711 points for the Thunder off those turnovers.
00:23:19Oklahoma City's turned it over just twice.
00:23:23SGA on the step back, kept that pivot foot down.
00:23:27Joe will try a deep one.
00:23:29Bat it out.
00:23:31Rollins there, though, for Milwaukee.
00:23:33Bucks down 19, four and a half minutes gone by here in the second quarter.
00:23:37Rollins driving kick, wide open Anthony, straight on three.
00:23:40It's good.
00:23:41Anthony having a great night, ten points off the bench,
00:23:45and a timeout by the Thunder.
00:23:47No Giannis right now, but the buck 58 in a row on the road.
00:23:52And he's already halfway to 20 points tonight with ten.
00:24:00The reigning MVP, the runner-up two years ago, an all-star starter.
00:24:05He was named that the other day.
00:24:07It'll be the third straight year and fourth time overall.
00:24:09He'll be in the all-star game.
00:24:12Gives it up to Dort with three on the shot clock,
00:24:14and that is assist number eight for SGA as Dort knocks down his second three.
00:24:21He's the most mesmerizing metronome in the game.
00:24:25Like, the consistency of Shea, and I think the most impressive,
00:24:29well, there are many impressive things in route to their championship.
00:24:33But I loved listening to his teammates talk about him, Dave.
00:24:37As his stature has risen, as his fame has risen, he's remained the same guy.
00:24:43And they will tell you to a man, he never separates himself from the group.
00:24:47It's always about the group.
00:24:49Now, Mark Dagnall just raves about being just such a great superstar player to coach.
00:24:55And, again, just watching him operate on seven or eight possessions in a row with two two-way players out there on the roster.
00:25:04It's exactly the same as he would operate with the five guys that won a championship last year that start the game.
00:25:11They're sending an awful lot of attention defensively in his direction.
00:25:16He finds a wide-open Carlson.
00:25:18He's got about eight feet between him and the defender.
00:25:21It's like, what's Carlson thinking?
00:25:24I better make this shot.
00:25:25He's the fourth player ever to win MVP, finals MVP, and a scoring title in the same year.
00:25:32The other three, Shaq, Kareem, and Michael Jordan.
00:25:35So, he's in great company and a number of incredible statistics.
00:25:41Giannis back on the floor.
00:25:43He got that fast break started.
00:25:45Rollins with the finish.
00:25:48But the bench has doubled up the Bucs starters in scoring so far.
00:25:5323-13 midway through the second quarter.
00:25:56Milwaukee down 17 at home.
00:26:02Oklahoma City, 16-5 on the road.
00:26:04Best road mark in the league.
00:26:06This is the last of a four-game trip.
00:26:08Williams with the lay-in with the left hand.
00:26:10Yeah, he directed traffic, Williams, at the start of that possession.
00:26:13Then Iser with the free-throw line.
00:26:15Tremendous move.
00:26:18He's got nine points.
00:26:19That's double what he averages on the year.
00:26:21But, again, with all the injuries for Oklahoma City tonight,
00:26:25they need Kenrich Williams to step up, and he has.
00:26:28Both Jalen Williams are out, Hartstein, Caruso, and Wiggins.
00:26:31So, a handful of guys, part of their rotation, not available.
00:26:34And they're still up 19 on the road.
00:26:38One and done that possession.
00:26:40Green catch and shoot three.
00:26:41Not close.
00:26:43Green, 0 for 3 from behind the arc tonight.
00:26:4844% of the year, top 10.
00:26:52Mitchell with the left, gets it to drop.
00:26:53You see what I mean about attack?
00:26:55I mean, guy just puts his head down, goes right to the cup.
00:26:57I just love his aggression.
00:27:00He steps between the lines, and it's attack, attack, attack.
00:27:04And Mark Dagnot telling us last year, in route to the championship, before an injury, he was a big,
00:27:10despite the fact that he's off to a slow start.
00:27:12DraftKings is the number one sports book for live betting.
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00:27:21They pass Doris Burke.
00:27:22George Sedano here in Milwaukee.
00:27:24Here's Nance, corner three, a round and out.
00:27:28One and done for the Bucs.
00:27:30Sorry about that.
00:27:30I think the more interesting question where Giannis is concerned is number one in the league in pain points.
00:27:36What are his pain points by the end of the night?
00:27:40Like, that is the priority for Oklahoma City.
00:27:44Right now, Giannis has taken just one shot, and that was from two-point range.
00:27:52Milwaukee with 10 turnovers here tonight, and just 14 baskets, and now they commit a foul.
00:27:58He's going to go on Giannis.
00:28:04That is his second, and so Holmgren will be at the line.
00:28:10Chet Holmgren with seven points, three rebounds.
00:28:13Boy, great to chat with him.
00:28:14We met with him for a good 15 minutes before the game, and we talked a lot about his growth
00:28:22over the last couple years, and what the finals did for him last year, and the things he saw in the finals,
00:28:26how that's helped him defensively in terms of what to expect and how it's made him a better player defensively.
00:28:35So he fractures his hip, and 89 days later, he's back in uniform, and you're rushing to be a part
00:28:42of what was an incredibly special journey.
00:28:44But I just think it speaks to how much he cares about the game of basketball and this group.
00:28:52Gotten stronger since last year.
00:28:54Still has a ways to go in that department.
00:28:57Here's Portis, corner three.
00:28:58It's good.
00:28:59Let's check in with George for more on Holmgren.
00:29:02Dave DB, he also mentioned that after those 89 games and rushing back to try to get on the court,
00:29:08help his team make that run.
00:29:10It really wasn't just the hip issue.
00:29:12It was also the kinetic chain along his leg having to rebuild all those muscles.
00:29:17It was a much more arduous process than just rehabbing from the hip, DB and Dave.
00:29:22It's kind of been weird, too, is Anthony, it's a dream, and you look at his games played.
00:29:26The first year, he didn't play an inning because he suffered that foot injury.
00:29:30The next year, he plays in every game, all 82.
00:29:33Then you guys just mentioned the injury last year, cost him 50,
00:29:36and he's played in almost every game this year.
00:29:40Lobbed to Holmgren, couldn't catch it.
00:29:41It was an errant pass by Mitchell.
00:29:44Giannis on the open floor, into the chest of the defender, and the lead is down to 14.
00:29:49Yeah, Shae's off the floor.
00:29:51And listen, the difference for the Bucs can be their three-point shooting.
00:29:58Cole Anthony is having the kind of night they would love to see become more consistent.
00:30:03The putback by Williams, and a foul.
00:30:07That is the first offensive rebound of the game for the Oklahoma City Thunder,
00:30:14in part because they're making more than 60% of their shots, and it results in a and one.
00:30:19Well, A.J. thought he got fouled.
00:30:24I tend to agree with him there.
00:30:26And hitting that glass, Williams has given them very good minutes.
00:30:31I think Mark Degno was pleading the case for A.J. in the initial contact as well.
00:30:36He'll just Alexander back on the floor.
00:30:39Rollins picked up the foul.
00:30:42Third on Milwaukee here in the quarter.
00:30:46Williams, who has 11 points off the bench, could not get the free throw.
00:30:51And they're matching Dort minutes with Giannis minutes.
00:30:54But then Akumbo spinning, shovels to Portis, and Portis puts it in.
00:30:59Now, Chet's checking Portis.
00:31:02But he is lurking, looking to make sure that if Dort needs some assistance,
00:31:07as Giannis gets near the rim, and that's how Portis gets free.
00:31:10Killed just Alexander with the blow-by.
00:31:12Couldn't bank it in, but the tip is good.
00:31:14That miss was his first of the game, and he made up for it with the putback.
00:31:20He's got 12 points.
00:31:23Anthony's three.
00:31:24No good.
00:31:25He's got 13 points off the bench.
00:31:29That was his first miss from behind the yard.
00:31:31Gildas Alexander bully ball with Rollins.
00:31:33Out to Williams.
00:31:34Swing to the corner.
00:31:35Mitchell.
00:31:36And A.J. Mitchell's three is there.
00:31:38The ninth three for Oklahoma City.
00:31:44They're saying a two-foot was on the line.
00:31:46So a two-point basket.
00:31:4864-46 is the score.
00:31:50Giannis splits the double again, finds Portis, and he floats it home.
00:32:00Giannis has always been a good passer,
00:32:03averaging about five and a half assists per game this year,
00:32:05which is actually the lowest for him in eight years.
00:32:09He's got three assists tonight.
00:32:10Mitchell leans in and scores, plus a foul.
00:32:1618 first-half points for Mitchell,
00:32:19and another coming potentially at the line.
00:32:25I keep saying it.
00:32:27Put the ball on the floor and attack,
00:32:29and as soon as he saw Cole leave his feet,
00:32:32he had him exactly where he wanted him.
00:32:34The second foul on Anthony.
00:32:38And Mitchell, a former second-round pick,
00:32:42who last year was on a two-way contract,
00:32:45then dealt with turf toe, so he didn't play a ton.
00:32:48Averaged about six points per game,
00:32:50and this year he's been one of the best bench players in the NBA.
00:32:56That Akumbo downhill tried to hit Nance,
00:32:58and was fouled on the drive.
00:33:05Inside out of bounds.
00:33:07First in the last two minutes on Oklahoma City.
00:33:09It's against Dort, his second person.
00:33:16Coming up on halftime, presented by Hyundai Palisade.
00:33:20Wendy, Perk, Coach Malone, and Malika.
00:33:23The Knicks with a historic night.
00:33:25I think they'll just take the win,
00:33:26but they did make history in the process.
00:33:28They've lost four in a row.
00:33:30I mean, if there was a team that was most in need of a win,
00:33:33it was the New York Knicks who came into tonight two and nine in their last 11.
00:33:40That highlights from our first game, our NBA Wednesday doubleheader,
00:33:44NBA Rivals Week.
00:33:47Giannis had a mismatch on Wallace.
00:33:49Holman came over to help and was no help as Giannis scores inside.
00:33:53He's just getting loose to him.
00:33:55That's a downhill force.
00:33:58So good.
00:34:00Seven points on three of three shootings.
00:34:01Seven rebounds for Dedekumbo.
00:34:05Shot clock inside a 10.
00:34:08Go to Alexander.
00:34:10Fires a three and switches it home over Kuzma.
00:34:13Come on.
00:34:14That is, I mean, he has just been patiently picking them apart.
00:34:20Giannis again downhill.
00:34:23Nance drives and throws it away.
00:34:26Barnheiser with the interception.
00:34:29About a four and a half second difference in the game and shot clocks here at the end of the quarter.
00:34:34Gildas Alexander to the basket has his pass knocked away.
00:34:38And out of bounds to Milwaukee.
00:34:41And the Bucs will be able to hold for the final shot.
00:34:43A 69-point first half for Oklahoma City on 63% shooting as Milwaukee will get A.J. Green,
00:34:57one of their best shooters on the floor, although he has not scored yet in this game.
00:35:01He has.
00:35:14Giannis off the ball with Case and Wallace, a much smaller defender on him.
00:35:19And they get tangled up.
00:35:21And that's going to send a Dedekumbo to the line.
00:35:26First foul on Wallace.
00:35:27Giannis one of two tonight at the line, 65% of the season.
00:35:34Voted to his 10th consecutive All-Star start.
00:35:37He is number one among active players in consecutive starts.
00:35:42The All-Star game, he was number one among fan voters in the Eastern Conference.
00:35:52And the first free throw spins out.
00:35:54Oklahoma City going to bring some shooters in.
00:35:58Chris Youngblood, who hasn't even played, will come in for the last offensive possession.
00:36:04And Isaiah Joe, one of their top three-point shooters, will enter as well.
00:36:08Put me in, coach.
00:36:16Youngblood shoots 34% from three.
00:36:18Joe, 42%.
00:36:21And I'll have plenty of time with seven seconds on the clock.
00:36:26Second free throw is good.
00:36:29A double SGA gets it across to Joe.
00:36:32Spot up three in rhythm.
00:36:33Can't knock it down.
00:36:34Bat it back out.
00:36:35Kuzma three-quarter court.
00:36:38And the half comes to an end.
00:36:39It's over seven, 15 points, eight assists, and one turner.
00:36:44Brilliant again.
00:36:46Those eight assists tie his career high for a half.
00:36:48Let's check in with George.
00:36:50Dave, DB, I spoke to Darvin Ham, assistant coach for the Bucs, about adjustments.
00:36:54He said it starts on the defensive end.
00:36:56They can't let them just get into the paint as easily as they've gotten into.
00:37:00And on the flip side, offensively, he said they packed the paint so well that they force you
00:37:05to pass the ball.
00:37:06He says we just got to make the easy play, move the ball around, and get clean shots, Dave.
00:37:10Well, they did both of the things you just said right there.
00:37:12They get the deflection and the forced turnover on defense, and then they move the ball a bit
00:37:17and get a basket on offense.
00:37:19One of the things they did better in the second period, they only had three turnovers,
00:37:24and they played them within two.
00:37:26First quarter, when this game was spread out a little bit, they had eight turnovers,
00:37:30gave up 11 off that.
00:37:31And it's the kiss of death against this team if you turn it over.
00:37:36Cason Wallace with his first points of the game.
00:37:40Averaging under five per game here in the month of January,
00:37:42about seven points per game on the season.
00:37:45Wallace commits a foul on the other end.
00:37:48His second, just the sixth foul against the Thunder here tonight.
00:37:56The Thunder, two games ahead of Detroit for the best record in the NBA in the lost
00:38:01column, six ahead of San Antonio for the best in the West as Portis misfires a three.
00:38:07Mark Digno just predicted that lob and got the backside help where that was going to be a Giannis dunk.
00:38:14Mitchell with the kick out.
00:38:15Spot up three.
00:38:16Dorton can't knock it down.
00:38:17Rebound Green.
00:38:20A.J. Green no points in the first half.
00:38:22He's averaging 10.
00:38:23Kuzma got deep, missed it.
00:38:25Giannis underneath.
00:38:26And he's mauled.
00:38:27He'll go to the line.
00:38:30Good foul by Mitchell.
00:38:31Make Giannis earn it at the free throw line.
00:38:33First foul on A.J. Mitchell.
00:38:46So Giannis had that a combo all 13 NBA seasons spent here in Milwaukee, 31 years old.
00:38:52Without him this year the Bucs are three and 11 and he's missed a third of the season with various
00:38:57injuries including eight games in December with a cap injury that initially looked like based on what
00:39:02everybody thought at the time it was going to be a lot worse.
00:39:10Scoring average down shot attempts are down though as well this year.
00:39:13Just three attempts so far in this game for the floor.
00:39:25And now three of six at the line.
00:39:32Milwaukee starting a three game homestand.
00:39:34Their last home game they got beat 139 to 106.
00:39:37That was a game where Giannis was booing Bucs fans back after they booed the Bucs.
00:39:42Gilgis Alexander sneaks inside for two.
00:39:45This arena has been incredibly quiet all night and it just feels like there's a heaviness
00:39:52hanging over this Milwaukee team right now and you have to wonder
00:39:57with all of the honest trade talk.
00:40:00Did the other guys going to be a foul on door pre-catch?
00:40:03You know they wondering am I going to be here?
00:40:06Is this going to happen?
00:40:08Giannis can keep saying all he wants you know.
00:40:12I've never asked to be traded.
00:40:13I want to be here et cetera et cetera.
00:40:15The answer to the question today was obviously different.
00:40:18I don't know.
00:40:19This just doesn't feel great right now in Milwaukee.
00:40:25And if the Bucs end up losing this game although Kuzma scores there to get it
00:40:30down to 18.
00:40:31A lot of time left.
00:40:32And they're 18 and 25.
00:40:34And you've got two weeks as of tomorrow before the trade deadline.
00:40:37You've got one or two directions to go.
00:40:39You can say we're going to take what assets we have to try to build around Giannis
00:40:45or build more around him or rebuild around him.
00:40:47Or we're going to move Giannis and go in a completely different direction.
00:40:51Because the other alternative we're just sticking with this group but it's not working.
00:40:55And they might make the play in and maybe they win a game or two in the play in and get into the playoffs.
00:41:01But this is a team that four years ago won a championship.
00:41:05And they made the playoffs.
00:41:08It's going to be a year but lost in the first round the last three seasons.
00:41:14Sorry about that Dave.
00:41:15I think Mark Lindsay going to renew this.
00:41:17Oh boy.
00:41:17Yeah Portis and Kaysen Wallace.
00:41:19Portis was just walking it looked like towards the bench.
00:41:22Kaysen Wallace met him.
00:41:24He might go.
00:41:25They might throw him.
00:41:26I mean that's a purposeful almost you know you can escalate a situation.
00:41:30Now what happened with Portis prior to that to elicit that reaction from from Wallace.
00:41:37They're going to go back to the couple minutes prior to what you just saw with Kaysen Wallace.
00:41:42Let's look at the original foul on Portis against Wallace right here.
00:41:49Oh yeah so so Wallace objects to what Portis did there.
00:41:53There's the initial foul call but what do you do with Wallace here because this to me
00:41:59he intentionally goes at him and that's you can see Lou Dort objecting.
00:42:07The rolling of the floor is a defensive.
00:42:09We'll shoot the two free throws from the flagrant foul right there at Portis.
00:42:14Unnecessary.
00:42:14Yep.
00:42:26And Wallace misses the first free throw 77 percent on the season from the strike.
00:42:31That is the liveliest reaction of the crowd I've heard all night.
00:42:38Yeah we've done a lot of games here over the years where this place is rocking.
00:42:41Yes.
00:42:42I know it's a late start.
00:42:43I know it's freezing outside and about to get colder but
00:42:46it has been really quiet throughout.
00:42:48The Bucs are in 11th place in the Eastern Conference 18 and 24 a game behind Atlanta.
00:42:58Actually ahead of them in the lost column coming into tonight but a game ahead behind them in the
00:43:03overall standings in terms of getting into the top 10 and finding your way into the play in turn.
00:43:08They play Denver here Friday and then Dallas on Sunday.
00:43:17Holmgren on the cut.
00:43:20Giannis leaves his feet and maybe alter that shot.
00:43:24And here come the Bucs but trailing by 23 minutes into the second quarter.
00:43:28A Derek Kummel with the finger off.
00:43:30He's four for four from the floor and the double figures now with 11 points.
00:43:33Let's see why he's shooting a career high.
00:43:37Really judicious with his shot selection.
00:43:41Holmgren penetrates.
00:43:44And from the free throw line Lou Dort able to hit.
00:43:53Dort now 10 points.
00:43:54He averages about nine per game as lowest since his rookie season.
00:43:58And Dort drawing the defensive challenge of playing Giannis on the other end.
00:44:05Wallace helps and knocks it out of play.
00:44:07Yeah but the initial work that that Dort is doing.
00:44:10He's bringing a level of physicality to Giannis that I like.
00:44:16You know bring the fight to Giannis because so often Giannis is bringing the fight to you.
00:44:21And listen of course people are digging down and giving some assistance that's appropriate.
00:44:26But I just love the approach of Lou here.
00:44:29Step back three.
00:44:30Rollins not there.
00:44:31Tipped by Portis but controlled by Gilgis Alexander.
00:44:3619 points and eight assists for SGA.
00:44:39Three rebounds.
00:44:39He'll put it on the floor.
00:44:41He can't spin it home with the left hand.
00:44:43That's just his second miss all night from the field.
00:44:46Kuzma racing down court.
00:44:48Puts it off the window at home and a foul called.
00:44:52And Holmgren holding on to his left knee.
00:44:58As he picks up the personal foul his first.
00:45:02Jalen Williams is out.
00:45:03The other Jalen Williams is out.
00:45:04Caruso, Wiggins, Hartenstein they're all out as well.
00:45:07Yeah, Chet's waiting for that guy.
00:45:10So now Kuzma's going to get a little bit of steam momentum going toward the cup.
00:45:15Very hard as a defender to react.
00:45:19And be on point defensively when somebody's got a head of steam coming at you.
00:45:24But you saw that bench of all the injured players for Oklahoma City.
00:45:28Yet here they are up 17 on the road.
00:45:30Second most missed games in the NBA this season.
00:45:36Yet the best record in the NBA.
00:45:39So back-to-back misses for Shea.
00:45:41He missed just one shot prior.
00:45:43Three balls and three is good.
00:45:46As Mark Dano is giving Mark Lindsey an earful.
00:45:50I mean you know it's rare you see him this hot and animated on the sideline.
00:45:56Now he's going after O'Connell the other official.
00:46:00So a quick 6-0 run by Milwaukee.
00:46:03Gilgis Alexander hangs and hits.
00:46:06And it's 115 consecutive 20-point games for Shea Gilgis Alexander.
00:46:12And 56 in a row on the road.
00:46:14The record is 58 by Will Chamberlain.
00:46:16Dort snatches the rebound and looks to run.
00:46:21But Chet has been brilliant as a rim protector.
00:46:25Like opponent's field goal percentage against him.
00:46:28And that's another one he causes a miss on on that last challenge.
00:46:34Lead back to 16 for the Thunder.
00:46:36Wallace knocks it away.
00:46:37Giannis tried to catch it in the high post.
00:46:39Gilgis Alexander with the no-look pass underneath to Wallace.
00:46:42Great response and it felt like Milwaukee was changing the momentum and the field.
00:46:48Maybe making some inroads and the immediate response by Oklahoma City.
00:46:53Ninth assist for SGA on the night.
00:46:56He averages about six per game.
00:46:57Long two is good for Adetokounmpo.
00:47:03He is five for five from the field.
00:47:14And Gilgis Alexander draws the foul.
00:47:17They're going to say side out of bounds.
00:47:20Not in the act of shooting.
00:47:23So Shea Gilgis Alexander, the reigning MVP, continues to shine and uplift the guys around him.
00:47:30The assists are mounting.
00:47:33Another knocks out on the bottom side.
00:47:35I mean you don't guard him individually.
00:47:37We've talked often over the years about quote building a wall.
00:47:40But this is ideal.
00:47:42You have spread it out over three quarters 13 points.
00:47:45You're thrilled with that.
00:47:46Number one defense in the NBA for the second straight year Oklahoma City.
00:47:50Even with all those guys out.
00:47:53Whoever plays for this team fits perfectly into what they want defensively as a group.
00:48:00And that starts with Sam Presti in terms of the talent he's acquired and then
00:48:03how it's employed by the head coach Mark Dignall.
00:48:07Turnover by Milwaukee.
00:48:08Another rejection by Chet at the cup and hop out that finish.
00:48:13Wow.
00:48:14Incredible hang and finish again with the offhand.
00:48:1723 for Gilgis Alexander and a trip to the foul line.
00:48:22And the defense on the other side by the group and then Chet was excellent.
00:48:26And this is how you attack immediately off the stop.
00:48:30And again another situation where Milwaukee couple buckets.
00:48:34Trying to feel better about itself and you respond again.
00:48:3914 points in the paint for Gilgis Alexander in this game.
00:48:45And he knocks down the free throw.
00:48:47He's got a game high 24 points.
00:48:49He is the second leading scorer in the NBA behind Luka Doncic.
00:48:56Rollins.
00:48:56And a block by Holmgren.
00:49:00He's a game changer.
00:49:02But think about how differently things are for him guarding up the five versus the four.
00:49:08Mitchell missed the layup.
00:49:10At that Akumbo trying to get something going in transition.
00:49:12The Thunder get back.
00:49:16Jackson fires to the corner and the three no good from Nance.
00:49:20So Andre Jackson Jr. getting some minutes here.
00:49:29For Milwaukee.
00:49:31As Holmgren is fouled.
00:49:35St. Rollins grabbed his jersey.
00:49:37That's his third foul.
00:49:40Fourth team foul.
00:49:41And I don't know how that's a foul on Rollins.
00:49:51I don't see any jersey pulling in once I missed it.
00:49:56Doug Rivers looking to his back bench.
00:49:58But they're not going to challenge that.
00:50:06SGA with a spinning kick.
00:50:08Joe spins out on the three.
00:50:11Every time Milwaukee's made a 6-0 run or an 8-0 run, Oklahoma City has an answer.
00:50:20Anthony, who had a great first half, gets the bounce on the floater.
00:50:24He's leading the Bucs tonight with 15 points.
00:50:37Thunder led by 22 at one point in the first half.
00:50:40They have not trailed in this game as Nance is called for the foul.
00:50:43And Holmgren will go to the line.
00:50:46Milwaukee over the limit.
00:50:54Milwaukee shooting 51% from the floor and down 17.
00:51:07Holmgren one of two at the line.
00:51:09Oklahoma City is actually four of nine at the strike.
00:51:16NBA Rivals Week rolls on Saturday on ABC and the ESPN app with a triple header.
00:51:22Knicks are in Philly.
00:51:23The Warriors after the Jimmy Butler injury will try to move on.
00:51:27They face the team that knocked them out of the playoffs last year, Minnesota.
00:51:31And the Lakers then at the Mavs.
00:51:34Luka Doncic back in Dallas.
00:51:37Starts at 2.30 Eastern with the countdown crew.
00:51:40We talked about what's next for Milwaukee with the Giannis situation.
00:51:45What's next for Golden State now that Jimmy Butler has done for the year with a torn ACL.
00:51:50Will be interesting to see what happens in the next two weeks.
00:51:53Jonathan Kaminga goes for 20 in what 21 minutes played I believe.
00:51:58He's obviously going to get more time.
00:52:00I mean that the clock is ticking.
00:52:05It feels like moving especially quickly on the last of whatever Stephen Curry has left.
00:52:11Two, three, four years depending on how long he wants to go.
00:52:14You don't want to waste any of that.
00:52:18They gave up 145 to Toronto last night.
00:52:22Andre Jackson hits a three.
00:52:23Back to a 16 point game.
00:52:25It's kind of been in that 20 to 14 point range since the middle of the first quarter.
00:52:30Two stars are off the floor here to end the third.
00:52:35Shot clock down to three.
00:52:37Nance does a good job that time on the driving Mitchell.
00:52:42He has played his heart out this evening.
00:52:45If anyone has given this arena a reason to cheer it's this young man.
00:52:5017 minutes which is a season high for Nance and he scored eight points off the bench.
00:52:59We got a timeout 2.7 to shoot for Oklahoma City when we come back.
00:53:10Pretty good.
00:53:12Third in the league in blocked shots as that gets batted in by Kenrich Williams.
00:53:16And now it's 13 points off the bench.
00:53:22When you think about that 2022 draft.
00:53:25Paolo Vancaro was the number one pick.
00:53:27He made his first all-star appearance last year.
00:53:29Chet Holmgren was the second pick that year.
00:53:32And could be headed his first all-star game this season.
00:53:36It really should.
00:53:37You got to imagine you had the best record in the league by far as Carlson.
00:53:40It's a three.
00:53:41You should have multiple all-stars.
00:53:42I agree.
00:53:43I mean he would absolutely be on my list of seven reserves.
00:53:46There's no question about it.
00:53:5023-year-old.
00:53:53Played at Gonzaga.
00:53:56But I loved his attitude about it when we sat with him earlier.
00:53:58So I'm not about getting distracted about that.
00:54:04Shot clock at one.
00:54:05Kuzma has to hoist it.
00:54:06And his struggles continue.
00:54:090 for 5 from 3.
00:54:12He struggled really since he got here.
00:54:14It just has not worked out for Kuzma in Milwaukee.
00:54:17Career low in scoring this year.
00:54:19Now Miles Turner who's hurt tonight.
00:54:21Career low in rebounding.
00:54:23Career low in field goal percentage.
00:54:24For whatever reason this group just has not been able to gel.
00:54:32It hasn't helped that Giannis has missed a third of the season due to injury.
00:54:35And he's not the only one.
00:54:36Kevin Porter's missed about half the year.
00:54:38Those are two starters essentially.
00:54:40Go.
00:54:41Gilgis Alexander got it on the rim as he got bumped.
00:54:44And will shoot two.
00:54:48Green commits the foul.
00:54:54Only three attempts for Gilgis Alexander.
00:54:56The line tonight.
00:54:56He averages about nine per game.
00:54:59Second in the NBA.
00:55:00Tap into the action in the NBA app.
00:55:10Go behind the scenes in the moments tab.
00:55:11Get the advanced stats behind all stars like Giannis and SGA.
00:55:15And tap to watch games live.
00:55:17Download the app today.
00:55:21Dave Pasch Doris Burke and George Sedano.
00:55:25And a subdued Milwaukee.
00:55:27Here at five serve form.
00:55:29Late night in Wisconsin.
00:55:31And the crowd is in its seats for most of the game.
00:55:35Not much to cheer about tonight.
00:55:36Their team down 23 late in the third.
00:55:39Kind of in this way throughout.
00:55:42Largest lead for the Thunder right now.
00:55:45It led by 20 after one.
00:55:47Nance driving and throws it into the seats.
00:55:51See how hard it is for them to generate offense without Giannis.
00:55:58And Dedekubo's played 22 minutes.
00:56:01So he's only got about six or seven left in him under this minutes restriction that he's on.
00:56:04Pull up jumper.
00:56:06And another foul.
00:56:07So Gilgis Alexander who has 26 points, 10 assists, and five rebounds.
00:56:12He's got two career triple doubles.
00:56:13Still the ways to go to get number three.
00:56:16He'll be at the line for two free throws.
00:56:18You were talking about the 20-point consecutive game stretch.
00:56:23So one of our key personnel on the NBA staff, Maddie Williams, was telling me,
00:56:30so Shea is on pace now, right, for another year, fourth straight year,
00:56:34where he could go for 30 points and 50 percent shooting.
00:56:40Okay.
00:56:42So trying to record the fourth straight time, Shea.
00:56:4530 points, 50 percent shooting.
00:56:47So think about that.
00:56:49The efficiency with the productivity.
00:56:52Wilts Chamberlain did it six times.
00:56:55Michael Jordan, five times.
00:56:57Just to try to put some context around the numbers that this guy has given him.
00:57:02He's 27 years old, folks.
00:57:06And there wasn't a single person, I don't care how much you tell me,
00:57:09you thought he was a really good player with star potential.
00:57:13Nobody thought Shea Gilgis Alexander would be this.
00:57:16Came off the bench in Kentucky.
00:57:19Three-pointer from Green.
00:57:20Mid-first round pick by the Clippers.
00:57:24And Doc Rivers coached him.
00:57:25And then he was obviously a part of the Paul George trade.
00:57:28They thought that he had a chance to excel with a young Thunder team.
00:57:33But as good as Sam Presti is, he's been, you know,
00:57:36arguably the best executive in the NBA for a number of years.
00:57:39Don't even know that Sam saw this coming with Gilgis Alexander,
00:57:43who's just based on what you said, Doris, throwing out those numbers.
00:57:46He's on pace to become one of the all-time greats.
00:57:48Yes.
00:57:49He's still got years to go.
00:57:54Giannis fires underneath.
00:57:55Portis reverse layup.
00:57:57Couldn't get the tip in either.
00:58:03Gilgis Alexander has 13 points in the quarter, by the way.
00:58:0628 on the night.
00:58:09Drives on Portis.
00:58:11And boy, that is too easy.
00:58:12That is his 31st 30-point game of the year.
00:58:21A block by Carlson.
00:58:25And Anthony comes back and scores.
00:58:26You do not see people do that to Giannis very often.
00:58:30The second-year player out of Utah is on a two-way contract.
00:58:36Brandon Carlson getting minutes tonight.
00:58:39Along with Brooks Barnheiser, another two-way player,
00:58:42because of all the guys out for the Thunder.
00:58:45Williams three brick.
00:58:46Rebound Dort.
00:58:48Pulls it back out.
00:58:49A double Gilgis Alexander gives it up.
00:58:55Carlson through the lane.
00:58:57Can't hit the short one.
00:58:58And Milwaukee can hold for the final shot of the quarter.
00:59:07You got Barnheiser on the Dedekumbo now.
00:59:09Portis, I think that was a shot.
00:59:12Rebound Barnheiser who hits the deck because he got tangled up with Giannis.
00:59:15Shea from three-quarter court.
00:59:17It's short for the Lakers and Mavs.
00:59:19It all starts at 2.30 Eastern with the countdown crew.
00:59:23Dave Pasch, Doris Burke, George Sedano here in Milwaukee,
00:59:26where the Bucs have been outscored in the last seven quarters at home
00:59:29by 52 points if you include that three from Pete Nance.
00:59:35See how much they use Giannis as a screener and a roller.
00:59:39And then that gravity to create shots off of that action.
00:59:44Nance now with 11.
00:59:45The Bucs are number two in the NBA in three-point percentage,
00:59:50so if they can get enough up here in the fourth quarter,
00:59:52they certainly have good enough shooting to be able to make this interesting in the final frame.
00:59:57But how about that?
00:59:58With the shot clock at one, Williams had to hoist it.
01:00:01He was almost falling out of bounds, and he still made it.
01:00:0516 points for Kenridge Williams.
01:00:07He averages five.
01:00:13Giannis setting the screen for Anthony.
01:00:16Who leads Milwaukee in scoring tonight with 17.
01:00:19Anthony, not Giannis.
01:00:21Shot clock at two.
01:00:22Green corner three.
01:00:24Hit it.
01:00:27Slow start for him to the game.
01:00:29I thought he was going to have to have a huge one.
01:00:31Like if he could have strung together seven, eight threes, put some pressure on them.
01:00:35He's made his last three after an 0 for 3 start from behind the yard.
01:00:41Holmgren drive and kick.
01:00:42Williams from the other corner.
01:00:46Milwaukee ball.
01:00:49Adetokumbo's only attempted seven shots on the night.
01:00:52Make it eight as he rolls that one home.
01:00:54I mean, he had the one jumper, but everything else has been point blank range.
01:00:58You were talking about his career high field goal percentage.
01:01:0265 percent.
01:01:04He's got 15 points tonight.
01:01:06Wallace is three.
01:01:07No good.
01:01:07Holmgren fouled underneath.
01:01:09He had three buck players under the basket, and it's Chet Holmgren that gets the rebound.
01:01:13And Anthony commits the foul.
01:01:20Three on him.
01:01:22First on Milwaukee here in the quarter.
01:01:26Butter trying to go to 37-8, and an NBA best 17-5 on the road.
01:01:31This wraps up a four-game trip.
01:01:32They host Indiana back in Oklahoma on Friday.
01:01:36Dort has that three roll around and drop.
01:01:39That's twice Chet's off-the-bounce game
01:01:42has led to a corner three.
01:01:43That pass wasn't perfect, but the prior one was strong side corner open three off his action.
01:01:51Green can't answer.
01:01:53Well, it was 38-18 at the end of the first quarter,
01:01:58and it remains a 20-point lead for Oklahoma City.
01:02:01Last year they had 54 wins by double figures as they turned it over there.
01:02:11That was the most in NBA history, and their point differential this year is actually greater
01:02:18than it was last year, and they set the NBA record last year for a margin of victory, 13.
01:02:23I think the adversity of that 6-6 stretch is probably a good thing.
01:02:31It's such a long year.
01:02:32You know you're going to face it at some point, and they have in terms of injuries, but
01:02:36there were people starting to question Oklahoma City because they started 24-1,
01:02:43the second team ever to do that.
01:02:45Golden State did it in the year they won 73, and everybody automatically when
01:02:49Oklahoma City did that said, oh, they're going to get the record.
01:02:52And then they have that stretch where they struggle against the Spurs, and they go 6-6,
01:02:55and now people start to doubt, well, maybe they're not as good.
01:02:59You know, maybe they won the championship, and you know, Denver and San Antonio, they've
01:03:03caught back up to them, but this is going to be 7-1 in their last eight games.
01:03:08Yeah, pretty impressive, especially as we keep showing you no Wiggins and no Jalen Williams,
01:03:14two guys who started the last game.
01:03:16Isaiah Hartenstein is a full-time starter when he's healthy.
01:03:21Second most missed games in the league to injury.
01:03:25You think about Holmgren and Hartenstein together, the injuries that the two of them have had,
01:03:31sometimes at the same time, otherwise they've kind of straddled one another,
01:03:36as Giannis is fouled by Dort.
01:03:44We saw things escalate last quarter with a flagrant foul called on Portis, but
01:03:49nothing extracurricular after this foul on Dort, his fourth.
01:03:52basketball play to you?
01:03:56I mean, to me, I just, yes, in my opinion, yes.
01:04:01The officials agreed with you.
01:04:02SGA back on the floor for Oklahoma City here to put this one out of reach.
01:04:09He's got 30 points on 14 shot attempts.
01:04:12Made 11.
01:04:13Green rises.
01:04:23The three spins out, though.
01:04:34On the fall away, Shea rips the net.
01:04:36And Doc Rivers calls a timeout.
01:04:4032 points for Gilgis Alexander.
01:04:46Uninterrupted, it seems.
01:04:49Yeah, it just doesn't matter who's on the floor.
01:04:51As long as Shea Gilgis Alexander is there,
01:04:53he's got a chance not just to win, but to win handily, and they're up 22.
01:04:58And by the way, Shea Gilgis Alexander, of all the great accomplishments he's had in a short time,
01:05:02he has never had a game with 30 points, 10 assists, and 80% shooting.
01:05:09That's where he's at right now.
01:05:1212 to 15 from the floor.
01:05:14Eight for 10 in the paint.
01:05:16A.J. Green hit a three on one end.
01:05:20Gilgis Alexander pass broken up, a rare turnover by SGA.
01:05:24Giannis turns it right back over, tried to go behind the back.
01:05:28Gilgis Alexander with the slam on the dish from Wallace.
01:05:31Make it nine for 11 in the paint.
01:05:33That 80% is looking good.
01:05:38And the lead back to 21.
01:05:41Oklahoma City has one loss against a team under 500 this year.
01:05:46That was against Charlotte.
01:05:47Again, they lost by 27, but Charlotte's done that to a few teams this season.
01:05:53And I think they had a 20-point lead in that at one point.
01:05:56At least one of those games they did.
01:06:00Holmgren on the step back, put up an air ball.
01:06:07Giannis driving.
01:06:10Cleaned up by Portis, who's 0 for 7 from the floor this half.
01:06:13The Giannis at 29 minutes, Dave.
01:06:17I think you're going to give him a couple more minutes, see if you get any closer.
01:06:22And then that's probably going to be it.
01:06:24Is on a minute's restriction coming off that calf injury in December.
01:06:33They're above 500 without him, but eight games under.
01:06:35They're above 500 when he plays.
01:06:38Eight games under 500 when he's out.
01:06:43Drives here.
01:06:43And throws it down with the left hand.
01:06:48Look out, what a finish.
01:06:52Usually get one of those ferocious finishes a night out of Giannis, but is it too late?
01:06:58Mark Dagnall senses the tide turning just a bit.
01:07:01Momentum shift, so he calls a timeout.
01:07:06The minutes that he's at right now, because he's at 30 and he's been around 28, 29 of late
01:07:13due to that minute's restriction.
01:07:14Another big run here.
01:07:16They're trying to make something happen, being aggressive with a trap.
01:07:19And Shea beats the pressure by attacking pressure.
01:07:23Beautifully done.
01:07:2536 points for Gildas Alexander, 14 of 17 from the floor.
01:07:30115 consecutive 20-point games.
01:07:33That is the second longest streak in NBA history behind Wilt Chamberlain.
01:07:38And 56 in a row on the road.
01:07:40Wilt has the record at 58.
01:07:42Dort breaks up that pass.
01:07:43It's just that level of physicality, Dort just brilliant on the post.
01:07:49Fighting Giannis tooth and nail.
01:07:52Dort drives into the lane.
01:07:54Off-balance shot, no good.
01:07:58We've been in a 14 to 20-point range for a good part of this game.
01:08:02The Thunder led by 20 after one.
01:08:05They had a 25-point lead in the third quarter.
01:08:07Hort has been his first basket of the second half, but is it too late?
01:08:12It's a 16-point game with 5.15 left.
01:08:14You can see what all the attention toward Giannis, the kinds of shots created.
01:08:19That's why Miles Turner, who's not playing tonight, his percentage from three is so different.
01:08:24Giannis on versus off.
01:08:26Just the second game this season that Turner has missed in the first for an injury.
01:08:30The other is for an illness as Gildas Alexander scoops at home.
01:08:34Another Doc Rivers timeout, 38 for Shea.
01:08:38He just pounds the left-hand side of the floor.
01:08:42It's twice he's made tough.
01:08:48The OKC Thunder leading 113 to 95 against the Bucs.
01:08:52A.J. Mitchell had scored 18 points in the first half against the Bucs,
01:08:55the most and a half in his career.
01:08:57Unfortunately, in the third quarter, late in that third quarter,
01:09:00he suffered a right hip contusion.
01:09:02He's out for the rest of this game, Dave and DB.
01:09:04And so that's another player now down because already five guys in their top ten.
01:09:10The normally player out as Green gets the two to fall.
01:09:13And no Giannis here, so he's crossed that minutes threshold.
01:09:21Got to think his night is over.
01:09:22Four and a half to go.
01:09:23Oklahoma City up 16.
01:09:25Here's Gildas Alexander, 38 points, 15 of 18 shooting.
01:09:28He got another one.
01:09:30That is 40 now for Shea, his fourth 40-point game of the year.
01:09:36His season high is 55.
01:09:39And he had five points in the first quarter.
01:09:42He's done most of this in the last two and a half quarters.
01:09:46One and done for Milwaukee as Rollins is unable to score.
01:09:49And it doesn't feel like he's taken a single bad shot, Shea Goldas Alexander,
01:09:54like the entire night has unfolded in a way where he's just taken what the game has given him.
01:10:00Look, two to the ball, get off it, get it to the middle of the floor,
01:10:04and play with the numbers advantage.
01:10:06He scored the last ten points for the Thunder.
01:10:09He's 12 of 14 in the paint, 16 of 19 overall, 10 assists, just two turnovers, six rebounds.
01:10:15Kuzma gets it to roll home.
01:10:19He's just 4 of 12 though, nine points.
01:10:27Mark Dagnall hasn't pulled his starters, but there also aren't a lot of guys to go to.
01:10:31We have more guys in street clothes than in uniforms on the bench.
01:10:35Wallace short in the triple try, long rebound Gildas Alexander.
01:10:39He's now three rebounds shy of his third career triple-double.
01:10:45Wallace will try again and miss again.
01:10:51Well, now or never for Milwaukee at the three-minute mark, down 16.
01:11:01Rollins, 4-3, it's a 13-point game.
01:11:05So Doc Rivers has emptied the bench, and
01:11:10you'll see a couple guys come in the game that haven't played at all tonight.
01:11:13Technically still in striking distance in today's NBA.
01:11:19Nice catch by Wallace, and the 11th assist for Gildas Alexander.
01:11:29And we got a kick ball.
01:11:30Kick ball.
01:11:31It is NBA Rivals Week as we look at the upcoming Rivals Week national TV schedule.
01:11:39Doubleheader on Prime Video tomorrow and Friday.
01:11:42Golden State at Dallas, Lakers Clippers.
01:11:45On Friday, Houston at Detroit.
01:11:46Denver is here to take on the Bucs.
01:11:48For more, go to the NBA.com or visit the NBA app.
01:11:51So Shea Gilgis Alexander's night is over.
01:11:57And it's a 40-point, 11 assists, seven-rebound evening on better than 80% shooting.
01:12:04This is how you get to greatness, right?
01:12:09Taking the responsibility on a nightly basis and stacking game after game after game.
01:12:14That's what separates the great ones.
01:12:17And Shea is moving in that direction, and I don't think we should undersell either
01:12:22the defensive job that Lou Dort did tie in the minutes he had against Giannis.
01:12:28He took the fight to him, and George, I'll tell you what, that's not an easy assignment,
01:12:33and Dort fought heart and soul all night.
01:12:36No question, D.B., 45 plays guarding Giannis tonight.
01:12:40Giannis only had two field goal attempts, five points, and two turnovers when guarded by Lou Dort.
01:12:45And that's what Dort does, D.B.
01:12:47When you talk about Lou Dort to Mark Dinkdown, he'll tell you.
01:12:51He's like a great cover corner where guys don't throw his way.
01:12:54Guys don't get shot attempts against him.
01:12:56He lowers the volume of elite scores, and that's the way he does it on that replay.
01:13:02It's like fighting them for catches, not letting them get their usual touches or get comfortable.
01:13:10Lou Dort was first-team all-defense a year ago, and will likely be again this year.
01:13:15Took him a while to get that recognition, and finally with Oklahoma City getting to the top of the NBA standings.
01:13:22You saw that last year with Dort and Jalen Williams getting named all-NBA and an all-star.
01:13:28Wallace continues to struggle with his shot.
01:13:34They didn't need the offense tonight, though.
01:13:36They had enough from Gilgis Alexander, and Kenridge Williams at 18 off the bench.
01:13:40Wallace will drop that one through, though.
01:13:46So Oklahoma City will go to 37-8, best record in the NBA.
01:13:54They will keep a two-game lead over Detroit in the loss column for the best record in the league.
01:14:00And also six games up on San Antonio for the top spot in the West.
01:14:06They're one and three against the Spurs.
01:14:08They will play again on ESPN in a couple of weeks in San Antonio.
01:14:14Now both teams emptying the bench here for the final minute and 33 seconds.
01:14:24Thunder go to 17-5 on the road.
01:14:28Meanwhile, Milwaukee falls to 18-25.
01:14:37Got a foul here on Jackson.
01:14:39Just nine turnovers for Oklahoma City tonight.
01:14:46With all the guys out, the defense stays the same.
01:14:50The defensive excellence and how precise they are.
01:14:53The attention to detail remains the same on offense.
01:14:55It's not sloppy despite two new faces out there tonight.
01:14:59Just nine turnovers.
01:15:00And the guy in Jalen Williams who, you know, when Shea is off the floor,
01:15:05you're usually putting him in command of the offense.
01:15:09And A.J. Mitchell to Georgia's point, 18 in that first half.
01:15:20And with a trade deadline two weeks away,
01:15:24as of about two minutes from now, midnight Eastern.
01:15:29What's next for Milwaukee will be a very interesting
01:15:33story to watch to see what the Bucs do.
01:15:35I mean, mercifully for them, this deadline has got to get here.
01:15:40Because you're going to know one way or the other.
01:15:42Because this just doesn't feel good here.
01:15:45For Giannis, for the other guys on the team that might be unsure about their future to the fans.
01:15:56To know what remains for the rest of the season.
01:16:01Jackson misses.
01:16:02Rebound by Carlson.
01:16:03The shot clock is off.
01:16:04So Oklahoma City doesn't have to take another shot.
01:16:06So the Thunder end this four-game road trip of the win.
01:16:09They had that stretch where they were 500 for about a three-week span.
01:16:14Went six and six over a 12-game span.
01:16:16But now they've won seven of their last eight with the only defeat, a two-point loss at Miami.
01:16:22Shaq Gilgis Alexander shoots 84% from the floor.
01:16:28He scores 40, has 11 assists, and seven rebounds, and a wire-to-wire route for the Oklahoma City Thunder tonight in Milwaukee.
01:16:37122.
01:16:39122.
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