- 4/23/2025
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00:00And OKC now is 8 of 19 from deep in his first half.
00:05Morant zigzags his right underneath.
00:07Up and gets the friendly bounce.
00:09Just a magical sequence from Morant.
00:12Morant has come alive in this second quarter.
00:15Sometimes you just need a break, get yourself together,
00:18and reestablish what you're trying to do.
00:21It's tough to keep Ja Morant out of the lane for an entire game.
00:25So the lead now at 15, Pippen Jr. trying to stay with SGA.
00:29Doubled up, out to Dort.
00:32That's good.
00:35Did you see that?
00:39Rick answer at the other end.
00:42Santi Aldama can stroke it as well.
00:46And that's another element of what Lou Dort brings to the team.
00:50A great catch and shoot, shooting almost 42% on the year.
00:55Budget-free from the start of his career.
00:59And that's last touch by Isaiah Joe.
01:01He's arguing that it was touched by Memphis.
01:04And then watch this.
01:05SGA just playing with him always makes the right play.
01:08So a 15-point game.
01:10Aldama into the paint.
01:11A little bit of a force that time.
01:13Well played by Joe.
01:14Now the leak out.
01:17Joe underneath.
01:18Going to reset.
01:19Caruso from the paint.
01:23Boy, they throw those haymakers in bunches, don't they?
01:30But Spiro, the ball touches the paint on all of these threes.
01:35Which is the toughest for a classic defense to get out and contest.
01:40And also, as a shooter, that's where you want the ball to come from.
01:43Biggest lead tonight for the Thunder.
01:53And they have hit six of their last seven from the three-point line to ignite this break.
02:02The third junior's going to reset.
02:05But just when you thought Memphis was starting to pull closer.
02:11Moran from deep.
02:13That's no good.
02:14Track down by Gilgis Alexander.
02:16And John Moran now 4 of 14 shooting.
02:20Gilgis Alexander double-teamed.
02:23This is Caruso from deep.
02:25And right there, that extra play right there by Joe.
02:31Is the difference in this OKC Thunder.
02:35Yeah, it's glitz and glamor in the box score.
02:38You can point to steals and rebounding.
02:41But it's those type of plays that you're getting from different people that make them so impressive.
02:48And he did it against two Memphis players.
02:51He just beat them to the loose ball.
02:53Turns and hits the threes.
02:54John Jackson hits that tough little turnaround floater.
02:57So this thing is at 21 points.
02:59SGA pulls the string on that three.
03:03And then the officials are going to get Lou Dort here on the little body bump against Jackson.
03:08But this hustle was making this Thunder team, Kamp is so famous.
03:12You see Aldama.
03:13You see Pippen Jr.
03:15You see Joe.
03:17Beating both of them to the ball.
03:19And then coming up with the three.
03:21Those are the possessions that Memphis needed back in that second quarter.
03:25Which could have gotten them within striking distance then and in game two as well.
03:31Final buck twenty and a half.
03:32John Moran.
03:33Nine of his ten points in the quarter.
03:34Fading away.
03:35Awfully tough shot.
03:36So John Moran after a really quiet start now.
03:37In the double figures.
03:38But they're still down 19.
03:39Here comes Jayla Williams.
03:40Out of Dort.
03:41They leave him open.
03:42That hasn't been a good idea.
03:43Idea for opposing teams.
03:44And what has been his career best season from deep.
03:48Inside of a minute left in the half.
03:49This is Jackson.
03:50Into the lane.
03:51And he hits.
03:52Tough little leader.
03:53With a left hand.
03:54And Jackson with those three fouls.
03:55Coats.
03:56That's going to go down 19.
03:57Here comes Jayla Williams.
03:58Out of Dort.
03:59They leave him open.
04:00That hasn't been a good idea.
04:01Idea for opposing teams.
04:02And what has been his career best season from deep.
04:05Bain inside of a minute left in the half.
04:08This is Jackson.
04:09Into the lane.
04:10And he hits.
04:11Tough little leader.
04:12With a left hand.
04:13And Jackson with those three fouls.
04:16Coach.
04:17He's a little trusting him.
04:21Jackson gets to the pain.
04:22And gets to that nice left hand floater.
04:26Jackson picked up his third foul at the early stages of the quarter.
04:29And that is Williams from deep.
04:32Too much space.
04:35It has been target practice from deep.
04:38For the Thunder here in the second.
04:43They are up now to a 46% clip from deep.
04:49Got a four second difference.
04:50Shot to game clock.
04:51Morant against Joe.
04:52Gets it to Pippen Jr. for three.
04:54That's good.
04:55And Morant set that up from the beginning of the possession.
04:58Told Scottie Pippen Jr. to stay space.
05:01Two seconds.
05:02Boy, the officials are going to get a reach-in foul here.
05:04Boy, Jaren Jackson was there with Bagley.
05:07Keep in mind, Jackson already has three.
05:14They did have one to give.
05:16But it looks like they're going to put OKC now back at the free throw line.
05:211.7 seconds left.
05:24So Jalen Williams seems to be in the act.
05:27And a chance to build on his 17-point lead.
05:30The NBA on TNT is brought to you by Dash Pass.
05:38Your door to more savings on DoorDash.
05:42And J-Dub smart pushing it up tempo up the court.
05:48That was off of a made basket.
05:51Where Memphis had an opportunity to set their defense.
05:55I think that's got to be a topic in the locker room.
05:59Here, Coach Isola.
06:01Scottie Pippen Jr.
06:03keeps a three-quarter leg to the floor.
06:05And that's going to get us to halftime here in Game 2 in Oklahoma City.
06:10John Morant, Desmond Bain searching for answers
06:14as they will go into the halftime locker room
06:17in an 18-point hole here in Game 2.
06:21The Thunder 7 of 12 from deep in the second.
06:25First-round coverage on TNT is presented by NerdWallet.
06:30Back with you from downtown Oklahoma City
06:37where first-round coverage on TNT is being presented by NerdWallet.
06:41As we sit in for the final two quarters,
06:44there's a score, 18-point lead for the number one overall seed
06:47in the NBA playoffs, Oklahoma City.
06:5070-52 as we welcome you back courtside.
06:53Spiro Adidas, Candice Parker.
06:54We'll hear from Dennis Scott in just a couple of minutes.
06:57Let's get some coaching advice and some coaching tidbits
07:01presented by Progressive.
07:03Candice, what do you expect and what have you seen so far?
07:06Well, if you're Memphis, the way that they cut this lead
07:10in that second quarter was getting into the paint.
07:12And it was driven by Desmond Bain.
07:15It was driven by Ja Morant and by Jaron Jackson Jr. being aggressive.
07:19And if you're OKC, no matter the outcome of this series,
07:23you need your star, your MVP candidate playing well.
07:2712 points on the day, but he's living beyond the arc.
07:30He's already taken six threes.
07:32Someone that relies on getting to the basket, getting in the paint.
07:36He averages 20 drives per game, leads the league in that statistic,
07:41and they need SGA to do SGA things and start feeling good.
07:47He's almost been pedestrian by his own standards
07:50over the first game-plus of this series.
07:52Again, just 15 points in game one.
07:54And they're still up 18.
07:57Jaron Jackson plays at a couple of those tough leaders tonight.
08:01So that gets it down to 16 to begin the third quarter.
08:06Again, if you're the Grizzlies tonight,
08:08you look at your two stars, Morant and Jaron Jackson,
08:11after what happened here in game one Sunday.
08:14How would those two fare?
08:17Jackson now with 11, and Morant's got a dozen.
08:20SGA misfires Candice, and another offensive rebound.
08:23That time it's Doris.
08:25And OKC is not a fantastic offensive rebounding team
08:29because they shoot the ball so well,
08:31but they're a timely offensive rebounding team.
08:34Unreal.
08:35Hartenstein rips it away from Edie and Jackson.
08:38Edie got a fingertip on it,
08:40and then it's last touched underneath by the Grizzlies
08:44with eight seconds to shoot.
08:46Let's check in with Dennis.
08:47Well, Candice, you'll love this.
08:48I come out and try to talk to a couple of the Grizzlies players
08:51and say, what's talked about at halftime being down 20 again?
08:54Energy and effort on both ends of the floor.
08:57Do we see it so far in his first no possessions?
09:003D, I see it, but not on that defensive possession.
09:03They've got to secure the ball.
09:04They're relying on getting out and running,
09:06and the way that you do that is through rebounding
09:08and getting those three extra loose balls.
09:13The Grizzlies just seem like they're a step slow.
09:15I mean, we're talking about energy and effort in the playoffs, 3D.
09:19Hmm.
09:20Desmond Bain hasn't been able to get his game going.
09:23Jalen Williams has.
09:25He's got 14.
09:26So 90 seconds gone by in the second half.
09:32This is Grizzlies in an 18-point hold.
09:39Jalen pulls and hits another three.
09:42His second in five attempts, and he's got 15.
09:47I see him from parched eye,
09:50he has been just lethal for that spot all season.
09:59And he does the playing hands and looks up
10:01as he knocks down his patented mid-range game
10:04we've seen him do so many times this season.
10:06season. John Moran working against Dort. All his toughness defensively. Bain desperately
10:13trying to get himself going. Five to shoot. Pippen Jr. into the lane. Missed it. One and
10:21done for the Grizz. Look at Holmgren in the open floor. Working against this man and Moran.
10:26And that right there is the extra effort that we have grown to love about John Moran. Did
10:32you see how high he got on this block? Look at his head, Spiro. Unbelievable. The athleticism
10:42tries to get himself going here with desperation mode. And then some right now for the Memphis
10:49Grizzlies. Moran misses the floater. Williams on the attack. Bain picks his pocket. Great
10:56extra effort by Bain. Not giving up on the play.
10:59Kevin Jackson with spin by Hardenstein making him work awfully hard. Timeout taken by Mark
11:08Dagnold. He's got to be careful. He's not teed up here. Livid as he barks in the direction
11:13of Brian Forte. As Memphis showing a heartbeat. Down 15.
11:22Today the NBA is proud to celebrate Earth Day and the impactful work of its teams and players
11:27around the league. Together, teams are harnessing the power of basketball to create a cleaner,
11:32more sustainable future. To learn more, you can visit mbagreen.com. Tremendous initiative.
11:40Always fun activities around the country. Great to see some of the game's brightest stars
11:45get out there. Mix it up with some of the youth. Smiling faces. So five straight points for
11:51Memphis. As they have cut this thing now down to 15 points. But Candace, every time they've
11:57made a little one, OKC has put its foot right back down. SGA into the paint. A little bit too much.
12:07Rebound Jackson. SGA just seems like he's a little off in that mid-range. We've seen him
12:14be so automatic. He, for Chet Holmgren, just swallowed up Desmond Bain. As Memphis catches
12:20a break. Last touch by Holmgren. And an underneath out of bounds with 14 seconds to shoot. Candace,
12:28we saw Memphis try to push tempo a little bit to start the third quarter and work for them.
12:31As they can try to control some of the pace. And the biggest thing for Memphis is they've
12:37got to find the paint. They were destroyed in the first games, 48 to 60. In the paint,
12:43for a team that's number two in the league, they live in there. And in order to have success
12:48in any series, they've got to score.
12:54Here comes Williams on the attack. The kick. Dork. Extra feed. Holmgren.
13:02That did everything but go in the basket right there.
13:05It's a rare miss. They're shooting it at Bergen. 42% from three tonight. Jackson's going to
13:10fend off Holmgren. Working hard as he puts his hard hat on. And what you're seeing with Triple J.
13:17In the first half, a couple misses. Look to the rest. He's playing through contact ever since
13:23that second quarter. And as a result, Grizzlies are hanging with the thunder.
13:29Smart pass. Hartstein underneath to Dork. So a 15-point game. Bain left open. Gets a screen
13:37and hits. Deep shot for Bain. And Spiro, ever since that deficit, 32-17 in the first quarter,
13:45Memphis has played OKC pretty even.
13:50Williams can create in the space with that leaning shoulder. 14-point game.
13:56Jalen Williams, a guy who really has become the poster boy for the development of this
14:03OKC franchise. What a shot, Pippen Jr. And Memphis finally starting to heat up from deep.
14:11The back-to-back threes. But what opened that up? Getting to the paint early in this first half
14:17allowed them to now catch Cumpri and knock it down.
14:20Ball tapped out by Dork. And it goes back to Memphis. So this is the closest that the Grizzlies
14:27have been in a long time. And look at the screen set by Edie.
14:32Screen set by Edie. But Desmond Bain looked shocked that Dork went that far under.
14:37And then again, SGA in Pippen Jr.'s face. But catches it comfortably and knocks it down.
14:43That's a good sign for the Grizzlies. After shooting 17% in game one from downtown. Now to see those go in.
14:54Desperately need Bain to get his offensive game going.
14:57Closest that they have been now since the middle stages of the first quarter.
15:02Jackson from deep. And here comes Memphis. We got an eight-point game.
15:08crowd starts to come alive. They try to rally the troops. 15-4. Grizzlies run. SGA elevates and hits.
15:23He is too skilled. You talk about skills and drills. Just getting to the elbow. SGA doesn't even have to put it on the floor.
15:32Here comes Jackson, turning the car. Goes right over the top of Holmgren.
15:37Boy, he is dealing with all that length.
15:40Coming up. God, he's double. Double coming.
15:43So Jaren Jackson, after a quiet start, is now 9 for 14. He's got 20.
15:48This is Shea's spot right here. That left side mid-range.
15:53He's able to do so much. Going over that left shoulder. We've seen the bump fade to the baseline so many times.
15:59He does the counter.
16:04Tomas Isolo, the interim head coach of the Grizzlies.
16:07Trying to come up with some defensive answers now for SGA, who's starting to come alive.
16:11Here comes Golden's open floor. Angry flush.
16:16Hey, can you say weight room? He bumped off two Memphis defenders to get to that dunk in transition.
16:25You talk about somebody that has added to his game. When we talk about adding strength, there's one. There's two.
16:31With the emphatic throwdown. You see that? That's what OKC Thunder does. One taken on two.
16:38J-Dub has impressed me with his energy, his effort, and being able to do it, his versatility.
16:48Hmm.
16:49Jesus!
16:52Young man, it is the third NBA season. He has put it all together.
16:57And Bree missed that seven-game chunk, that right hip injury that he sustained early March.
17:02This is his tenth game since returning from that injury.
17:06Marvin Bagley on the Bucs, and it's taken away by SGA!
17:10Again, he was top five in the league this season in steals.
17:15Here he comes to the wreck and lays it in!
17:18And all of a sudden, SGA looks like he's waking up a little bit. Scoring his 20th point. Back-to-back buckets.
17:31Boy, Morant thought that there was contact down low.
17:34Get out the way!
17:35Williams, the kick.
17:37Three-pointer from Wallace, wrong goal. A little bit too much. Rebound, Aldama. This place was ready to erupt.
17:44Eight straight points for the Thunder.
17:49How does Memphis respond?
17:51Officials are gonna get SGA here on a reaching foul as John Goble makes the call.
17:57You see right here, SGA doing a great job hanging in the air, absorbing the contact.
18:03Talk about trying to stop somebody with SGA's skill set going downhill with his head to the rim.
18:10As we take a look at our FanDuel Live point spread for tonight's game.
18:14We'll look at where it started.
18:16And where it is currently as Alex Caruso checks into the game.
18:20I'm sure our friends Chuck and Adam Lefkoe are watching that closely.
18:26You know, Lefkoe's all over the lines.
18:28He's back like that to seven.
18:31This is Aldama on the perimeter with Caruso.
18:35The Swiss Army knife defender.
18:37Aldama tough turnaround and the rebound whip.
18:40And you say tough turnaround.
18:42That's Caruso giving up inches in the block.
18:45But their guards are so physical that they're able to push the size of Memphis outside of the paint.
18:53SGA double team.
18:55Good movement.
18:56This is Wallace baseline underneath Caruso.
18:59Three to shoot.
19:00Dort.
19:01A little bit short.
19:05Dort now two of six from deep.
19:11So three and a half left of play in the quarter.
19:14John Morant 15 points.
19:16Taking on all comers and hits a tough turnaround fade.
19:21And he's barking at the officials.
19:23He's got 17.
19:24There's nothing you can do about that.
19:26John Morant jumped so high on blocks.
19:29But also on the extension of his jump shot.
19:32Boy Williams just brilliant with his feet.
19:36Everything but the finish.
19:38And again Memphis can cut it to ten.
19:42Maybe even less with a three.
19:43Aldama.
19:44As we close the three minute mark.
19:48Aldama from deep.
19:51Off target.
19:52Caruso good.
19:53Box out from Bagley.
19:54Caruso giving up size.
19:56It doesn't matter.
19:57Does a great job boxing out Bagley and secures the rebound.
20:01Gildress Alexander slithers in tight.
20:04Williams from deep.
20:08So the Thunder have pulled off a little bit from three.
20:11Now down inside at 37% for the night.
20:14Aaron pass.
20:15Morant trying to get it underneath to Bagley.
20:17And that's a costly turnover.
20:19As they try to chip away at this 12 point deficit.
20:2210th Memphis turnover tonight.
20:25The 2025 NBA playoffs presented by Google.
20:30Jaren.
20:31Get down the floor.
20:32Get down the floor.
20:33Get down the floor.
20:34You get that fourth.
20:35That wing three.
20:36You know what I'm saying.
20:37Hey.
20:38All right.
20:39We are competing now.
20:40But we gave them three opportunities over in that end.
20:42Doesn't make sense.
20:4320 seconds.
20:44Doesn't make sense to play great defense.
20:45Didn't give them another chance.
20:46Right.
20:47Let's keep this tempo.
20:48Let's go.
20:49Here we go.
20:50And like Coach Islow said.
20:51The Grizzlies are now competing.
20:52They've made this a game.
20:53They've done that through the play of Jaren Jackson Jr.
20:5511 of his 20 points in that third quarter.
20:56Knocking down threes and living in the paint.
20:58Officials are going to get a loose ball foul.
20:59John Butler makes the call here.
21:00He's doing that.
21:01The Corey's doing that.
21:02He's doing that in.
21:03Doesn't make sense.
21:04That.
21:05Doesn't make sense.
21:06It doesn't make sense to play great defense.
21:07Didn't give him another chance.
21:08Right.
21:09Let's keep this tempo.
21:10Let's go.
21:11Here we go.
21:12And like Coach Islow said.
21:13The Grizzlies are now competing.
21:14They've made this a game.
21:15They've done that through the play of Jaren Jackson Jr.
21:17Three threes and living in the paint.
21:19Fish is going to get a loose ball foul.
21:21John Butler makes the call here.
21:25And then again, Jaron Jackson, Jr.
21:28Spinning off, going through contact.
21:30Not settling for the catch and shoot jump shot.
21:33Take it on the front court of the Thunder.
21:35And then again, stretching the defense
21:37and knocking it down beyond the arc.
21:40Memphis has fared well from beyond the arc.
21:42Eight threes on the day.
21:44But he established the mismatch of the post,
21:47which I think is part of the Memphis Grizzlies offense.
21:50That last Thunder whistle against Alex Caruso.
21:53Here's John Conchar getting some one.
21:55Out to Pippen for the shoot.
21:57And he goes glass.
21:59And he's headed to the free throw line.
22:02And here come the Grizzlies again making their push.
22:07And that entire sequence was set up off of penetration.
22:13Penetration kicks.
22:15Repenetrate.
22:16Scottie Pippen, Jr.
22:18Attacks.
22:19Thunder defense is recovering.
22:21And it's just too much.
22:22And that's why he's going to the line.
22:24And campus, let's give some credit to Tomas Isolo,
22:26the intern head coach.
22:28Again, everything that's been on his plate.
22:29You know, the emotions of last week with the play in,
22:31the loss at Golden State.
22:33And then the comeback and win against Dallas
22:35to get themselves here into this series.
22:39And after what happened in game one, a 51-point loss,
22:42he's got them competing and within striking distance
22:45here in game two.
22:47Well, I think the toughest thing that Coach Isolo had to do
22:50was to wipe clean that 51-point loss.
22:53I mean, the mentality of your team, the heart,
22:57soul was questioned for the last two days.
22:59How would they respond?
23:00How would you respond as a first-time head coach?
23:03And he said in the last time out, now they're competing.
23:06Now they're in this series.
23:09Officials say jump here, Holmgren and Conchar.
23:13And one thing Isolo said in our sit-down with him
23:15before the game, he said we had to come up
23:16with an actionable plan as assistants.
23:18Went through the game tape, as painful as it was.
23:21And we had to formulate a plan and then communicate
23:25that with the group.
23:26Had a good workout yesterday.
23:29And here they are now, within nine points
23:31as we play late-stage's third quarter.
23:36Now in the final 70 seconds, Caruso careening
23:39into the cup to Holmgren, underneath, takes a hard whack.
23:44And a little bit of a clutch towards that leg.
23:46Looks like Holmgren is okay.
23:48Candace, every time he goes down, you grasp a little bit.
23:51As Holmgren's going to shoot free throws.
23:58The NBA on TNT is brought to you by State Farm.
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24:06The Pacom Center, downtown OKC, Spiradina's,
24:09Candace Parker, Dennis Scott, our producer,
24:12Burt Bondi, our director, Brent Christian,
24:14rest of the world, sensational TNT crew.
24:16Happy to have you with us.
24:17That entire play was set up by Caruso.
24:23Sometimes, as a guard, when you just drive to the paint
24:26and you know how to spray the ball out,
24:29then it opens up other driving lanes.
24:31And Holmgren following in Caruso's path, then gets fouled.
24:35And just the Thunder are so deep at every single position.
24:39Final minute of the quarter.
24:42Holmgren coming over to get Jackson,
24:44but the stick-to-itiveness underneath.
24:47And again, it's within single digits for the Grizzlies
24:50with under 50 seconds left in the quarter.
24:53And Jaron Jackson with a monster quarter.
24:56He's got 22 for the night.
25:02Shot clock at 8, SGA, boy, a little bit of frustration
25:06with Pippen's defense, Candace Pippen, Jr.
25:10Boy, give him credit, he's not backing down from SGA.
25:14Penalty situation, so Gilgis Alexander to the free-throw line.
25:17And in this postseason, Pippen Jr. has had to guard Steph Curry and SGA.
25:23Not fun.
25:24Not a fun time in this postseason, but he's done a great job.
25:27He stayed in plays.
25:28He's made things difficult for two of the best scorers of the game.
25:34Oh, you still have more time to win a million dollars.
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25:50So 34 seconds left in the quarter, we've got an 11-point game.
25:54Shea Gilgis Alexander now 22 points.
25:58Tie for game-high scoring honors with Jaron Jackson.
26:03Peluso again defending.
26:05Jackson doubled.
26:06Got to knock it down.
26:07Pippen Jr. missed it.
26:10Fight for it.
26:11SGA, and the Thunder can hold for the last shot.
26:14Pippen Jr. has missed a couple of those open threes tonight.
26:18Five seconds.
26:20SGA snaps back.
26:24And that's going to get us to the end of the quarter here in Oklahoma City.
26:36The Oklahoma City Thunder looking to take a command 2-0 series lead.
26:42They're up 11.
26:43First-round coverage on TNT presented by NerdWallet.
26:49His number one sportsbook.
26:55There's your score.
26:5711-point lead for the Thunder with the sun setting here in OKC.
27:02A couple of seconds ago, Dennis with Mark Dagnolp.
27:07All right, guys.
27:08Here with Coach Dagnolp.
27:09Let's start with the defense first.
27:10When Jaron Jackson Jr. has it going like that, how do you slow him down here in this fourth quarter?
27:14Yeah, we've got to get our chest on him.
27:15He's doing a good job.
27:16He's playing really physically.
27:17We've got to slow him down.
27:18Offensively, you're getting every shot you want.
27:20What do you got to continue to do in the fourth quarter to get going again?
27:22It's the defense.
27:23You know, we're getting good shots, but the shots go in and out.
27:25The defense has to be consistent.
27:26Thanks, Dagnolp.
27:27Thanks, Dagnolp.
27:28Thanks.
27:29And what Coach Dagnolp means is Jaron Jackson is able to play through space.
27:34And as a little guard, the thing you hate as a post player is chest into your shoulder.
27:39It doesn't give you the opportunity to go where you want.
27:41And I think the Thunder have to be better in this fourth quarter against him in those spots.
27:47Caruso left open, and he makes him pay for it.
27:52And the Thunder throw the first punch to begin the fourth.
27:56SGA on the bench.
28:01And John Moran on the bench for Memphis to begin this fourth quarter.
28:06Scottie Pippen Jr. walking on the perimeter against Joe.
28:09Gets a screen from Edie.
28:10He's going to turn straight away.
28:12That's a tough shot.
28:13Edie trying to save it, but it's taken by Williams.
28:16Isaiah Joe beats him down the floor.
28:19Boy, after a missed shot.
28:24Candice, any surprise that Moran is on the bench?
28:29Especially in a game like this, where there is very little margin for error.
28:35The Thunder are known to go on 20, 21 point runs.
28:41Jackson brought down to his knees by this relentless Thunder defense.
28:49I understand effort and energy is not a tangible thing, right?
28:54But if you look at OKC, they look like they want to be the aggressors.
28:59That they want to win.
29:01By their energy, their effort, their passion right there.
29:05You see Caruso has really made an impact on this game.
29:09Not just in knocking down shots, but in making those extra effort plays.
29:14The passion that Caruso has brought to this team.
29:17Just a perfect fit that he and Hartenstein have been.
29:20The two offseason pieces is Pippen Jr.
29:22They get a piece with Wallace on the perimeter.
29:25It's a play on City officials.
29:28Caruso back to Wallace.
29:31To the basket!
29:32Oh, no!
29:36Bring the house down, Wallace!
29:38Oklahoma City has scored seven straight points to begin the fourth quarter.
29:55And right there, you talk about attacking the closeout, going up.
30:01Man!
30:02Look at that, right there.
30:04Wallace getting up.
30:07Putting an exclamation point on the run for the Thunder.
30:12They've done it in so many different ways.
30:14SGA's come alive in the second half, but struggled for most of the first half.
30:19The guards have been the main contributors in this game.
30:22You talk about Caruso, you talk about Wiggins, you talk about Joe, J-Doug.
30:29So John Moran reinserted by Issa Lowe, but is it too late?
30:35Still 20 o'clock with the momentum back to the Thunder.
30:38Bain on the broken play.
30:40And a loose change corralled by Reichstein.
30:45Speaking of Kaysen, Wallace dunks, he had that crazy one-on-one transition dunk in game one against Pippen.
30:51This is Jalen Williams, back iron, rebound by Bain.
30:56And Memphis has to go to this Jaron Jackson, John Moran.
31:02Look at Caruso.
31:03Right here, not giving up on the play.
31:15This is what passion, energy, you only get so many opportunities to play for a championship.
31:21Caruso has brought the energy for sure.
31:24Officials are gonna get whistled there against Jalen Williams.
31:29He had that fast break opportunity looming.
31:33When Alex Caruso is averaging the ninth most minutes on your team, you know that you got some scary depth.
31:40Gave him that big four-year $80 million extension in December.
31:44It's gonna keep him here through that 28-29 season.
31:48As this franchise continues to shore up its future.
31:51And if you stay ready, you don't have to get ready.
31:53And all of the players on OKC are ready when their name is called.
31:58J-Dub, last game, SGA, struggled with his lowest points on the season.
32:04J-Dub came through.
32:06You talk about Dort having his moments, knocking down huge threes.
32:09Hardenstein.
32:11What a luxury for Coach Dagnall to be able to play multiple ways offensively.
32:19J-Dub!
32:20First NBA team to secure the one seed in back-to-back years since Golden State
32:24dated three straight years between 14 and 17.
32:28Only question left.
32:30Can his franchise go the distance?
32:32Aaron Bede, Kennard trying to get it to Moran.
32:35And another unforced turnover.
32:3811th miscue tonight for the Grizzlies.
32:46Oklahoma City, if you've just hopped on with us, they've led by as many as 23 points.
32:51Memphis got to within six with about six and a half left in the third quarter.
32:56But it's been all thunder six.
32:59Caruso putting his imprint on this game.
33:03And it's not a good sign if you're Memphis if you have Bagley going one-on-one from the perimeter in your offense.
33:21No disrespect to Bagley, but that's not the Memphis Grizzlies' offense.
33:25They need the ball in John Moran's hands.
33:27Desmond Bain needs to be aggressive and reassert himself getting downhill in order for the Grizzlies to have a chance.
33:35I'd like to see them go back to this Jaron Jackson pick and roll with John Moran.
33:41Jackson right now playing in the corner.
33:43Moran troving into the lane.
33:45And again, it's Caruso getting a hand at it.
33:48Bylas ahead with the feed for Joe.
33:50Falling out of bounds.
33:51Somehow gets it to Williams.
33:54And now he's gonna get him reset.
33:55Caruso, open three.
34:00And the rebound tracked down by Kennard.
34:0320-point Memphis deficit as we come up on the eight-minute mark.
34:08And look how far out Jaron Jackson is going to work as Caruso gets the foul.
34:13But giving up seven inches, Caruso pushes Jaron Jackson all the way out to the three-point line.
34:22And in past possessions, that hasn't fared well for Memphis.
34:27Starting your offense all the way out there with your forward trying to score in the paint.
34:32So, Jaron Jackson leaving a point at the free-throw line.
34:40Upcoming national playoff schedule.
34:42TNT tomorrow.
34:43Couple of game twos.
34:44Magic Celtics.
34:45Golden State-Houston.
34:47What a series that is.
34:48NBA TV will have Miami and Cleveland.
34:51Game two of that series.
34:52NBA.com or visit the NBA out.
34:57Well, Desmond Bain able to sneak in and stick it back.
35:01That'll cut it to 18 points as we cross the eight-minute mark.
35:06With Desmond Bain, Candice.
35:09His fifth field goal, he's got 14 points.
35:13And that was his 11th rebound.
35:16Wild miss on a three from Joe.
35:18And then last touched by Hardenstein.
35:21So, here comes Santiago Dama.
35:24Candice, you mentioned Jaron Jackson.
35:26He's going to sit here.
35:28What do you want to see here offensively in terms of strategy for the Grizzlies?
35:32Well, offensively, you've got to get Ja Morant getting down here.
35:35I think you do that with up the lane screens, but he's got to make better decisions with the basketball.
35:41Isolo.
35:42Ignored.
35:43Well played, but Jalen Williams even better.
35:48For Tomas Isolo has just been hit with a technical.
35:51He's got to be careful.
35:53Got right into the face of John Goble.
35:56And Jalen Williams immediately assess the technical as he tries to get his composure in what has been a frustrating second half here in OKC.
36:11For doing their thing presented by Walmart.
36:14And you know who's doing their thing.
36:16It's the Thunder's guards.
36:17Especially off the bench.
36:19You've got Caruso making plays.
36:21You've got Joe knocking down threes.
36:2333 bench points for this OKC team.
36:27And then the extra efforts.
36:29Got it.
36:30They have blocks.
36:32They have extra hustle plays.
36:34Second chance points.
36:35We talk about holding Ja Morant to 17 points in two of the three matchups thus far that Ja Morant has played against the Thunder.
36:43He scored under 20 points.
36:45Thunder guards are just coming in waves.
36:48Technical free throw after Tomas Isolo, the Memphis interim head coach, who was hit with a technical prior to that break.
36:55And so we got a 21 point game.
36:58727 to play fourth quarter.
37:00And what has been a much more competitive game two than what we saw here Sunday.
37:06But again, just too much thunder down the stretch.
37:09Does Memphis have one more push?
37:12As we get a whistle on the perimeter.
37:16Foul charge to Jalen Williams.
37:18His second.
37:20So Jaren Jackson is still on the bench right now for Isolo.
37:24Morant coming around the screen.
37:27Six to shoot.
37:32Desmond Bain took the way.
37:35Cunard contested three.
37:37In a perfectly drawn up play.
37:40But guess what the problem is?
37:42It's the extra effort by the Thunder.
37:44Desmond Bain came off a little bit open on that play.
37:47Extra effort by J-Dub to get back in the play.
37:51I mean you can't.
37:52You can't emphasize enough.
37:54It is about the extra effort.
37:57Not just the X's and O's.
37:59Thunder have drawn.
38:01And forced four turnovers on Memphis' last five possessions.
38:05Sweet little touch.
38:07Holmgren.
38:08And just like that the Thunder has matched its biggest lead tonight.
38:15Morant misfires top of the key.
38:18Edie nicely done to save it out of bounds underneath.
38:22With 6'37 left in regulation.
38:25Candice, we're not seeing a lot of off-ball squeeze to free up shooters for Memphis at this side as they try to continue to get creative to attack this defense.
38:37Bain, that's a tough corner three.
38:39Right in front of the Memphis bench.
38:42And that ends a 14-2 run.
38:45And the Thunder always have a run to answer whatever the Grizzlies have tried to throw at them.
38:54Good for S-Alexander.
38:55Well played by Bain.
38:56And then Edie comes over for the rebound.
38:58And the thing about SGA that I hope all the young ballers are out there watching.
39:03His facial expression doesn't change when he misses jump shots.
39:07His calm coolness doesn't change.
39:10He understands that he's put the work in and the next shot's gonna go in.
39:14And he has that expectation and so does his teammates.
39:17The stoicism of SGA just part of his demeanor.
39:21But look out, Jalen Williams may have hit the back of his head down the court.
39:25The immediate concern from his teammates, the entire bench up off the floor.
39:30And hopefully, J-Dub's okay as he gets to his feet.
39:42You're so old.
39:45All you have to do is lay it up.
39:47If you can't dunk, lay it up.
39:50I didn't know how far it was.
39:52Honestly, you just kind of timed it a little off.
39:55You timed that like perfectly to miss.
39:58Like watching a bunch of young kids play in the schoolyard.
40:10The joyfulness that this team plays with, it has been something to behold.
40:14John Morant screaming for a foul as he looks over towards official John Butler.
40:20He comes home winning to the paint.
40:26Thankfully, Jalen Williams looks like he's okay.
40:34Williams, flexion to Dort.
40:37Way to shoot.
40:38And right there, it's Wallace just ripping it away.
40:44Dama Holmgren coming with some nasty.
40:50And that has been the story of the ball game.
40:54Every single possession, the Thunder have just been quicker, faster, and more intense to the basketball.
41:02It has been the Thunder, the more desperate team, which is kind of crazy after what we saw in game one.
41:08In one of the most lopsided games in NBA playoff history.
41:14But that has been the case here in this fourth quarter.
41:16Penalty situation, and Jaren Jackson's going to shoot.
41:18Jackson, who had the hot hand to bring Memphis within six in the third quarter, now has 23 for the night.
41:34Our TNT game break presented by PayPal.
41:37All eyes on downtown L.A.
41:40Game two of that series, Lakers-Timberwolves tip-off set for just after 10 o'clock Eastern.
41:45Kevin Harlan, Reggie Miller, Taylor Rooks will have the call, and we will be watching later tonight.
41:51How does Luka Company bounce back?
41:53Oh, we will be watching.
41:55We'll talk about a T-Wolves team that has played some amazing basketball down the stretch to clinch playoffs.
42:02But then again, the clip that they shot the three at against the Lakers.
42:08Let's see if they can do that again.
42:10SGA to set up the home run open three.
42:13Another offensive rebound.
42:16Into the corner to Dory.
42:19Into the lane, we collect.
42:22Tough defense from Jackson.
42:25So a 21-point game as we come up on the final four minutes.
42:31Does Memphis have one more push left in them here?
42:35Games three and four of this series in Memphis Thursday and Saturday.
42:42And it's again the Thunder over the limit, so John Morant to the free-throw line.
42:47Actually, I beg your pardon, Jaron Jackson.
42:59So Jackson now with 25 points.
43:03Memphis, again, they cut it to six.
43:05You thought, boy, maybe they could put some crazy run together.
43:08But OKC, again, just taking the thing over from that point.
43:11They just have too many answers.
43:13They've answered every run with the hustle needed to.
43:17They've answered with threes.
43:18They've answered with transition.
43:19They've gotten to the paint.
43:21And that's all without SGA being SGA.
43:26So makes this Thunder team so amazingly impressive as SGA has his pocket pick from Bain.
43:35Well, that'll get it to 17.
43:36Inside of four minutes left, 19 for Bain.
43:40Well, I think that this game is well out of reach for Memphis in these closing minutes.
43:45You want to do stuff in preparation for next game.
43:49You don't want to give SGA any good looks.
43:52Right there, great defense by Thibode Jr.
43:56Williams had a fire.
43:57The shot clock didn't reset.
43:59Once again.
44:00Just beaten him to the spot.
44:01Gilgis Alexander, that short.
44:04He just desperately trying to corral a rebound.
44:07And look at SGA, throwing his body all over the place with a 17-point lead with three and change.
44:13Romantic.
44:15Defense!
44:17Defense!
44:19SGA, again, struggled in terms of his shooting as Kansas just alluded to.
44:24Eight of 24, but he just does so many other things for his team.
44:2822 points, five rebounds, five assists, multiple steals.
44:34And the shots that he's getting are open.
44:38And that's the thing.
44:39You know, you wondered whether the rhythm would be off as a result of the end of the season.
44:49So you want to use this time to get back into rhythm.
44:52Timeout taken by Mark Daiknoop.
44:55As we are down to 3-13, left to play in regulation.
44:59The Thunder a couple of minutes away from a 2-0 series lead.
45:03TNT coming up right after this one will get you out to Los Angeles.
45:0910-05 tip, Minnesota Lakers game two.
45:12With the winner of that series moving on to take on the winner between Golden State and Houston.
45:18Are you prepared to make up a prediction?
45:20Well, it's crazy to me to watch what this man has done the last two years, to be honest with you.
45:25I want to stay away from the predictions.
45:27But to be able to turn your idols into your rivals, you think about him going through Kevin Durant last year,
45:32going through Nikola Jokic last year,
45:35having the opportunity to avenge the loss to Luka and beat LeBron.
45:40I mean, it's going to be fun.
45:43It's going to be fun.
45:44Well, you think the league is going with some of those stars in the future.
45:49As Shea to tap out, kept a lot by Dort as well.
45:547 to shoot.
45:57Hardenstein the turn, trying to go no look to Holmgren.
46:01It's the right idea right there.
46:04And, Candace, again, you mentioned it once earlier,
46:06but it's just wild to think that they didn't have those two guys healthy together until February.
46:11Hardenstein, again, remember that injury, missed the first 15 games of the season.
46:15Holmgren obviously had his hip injury.
46:20Just think about how quickly they put it together.
46:22John Moran up and under.
46:24He just makes plays like that that make you chuckle.
46:27The ability to hang in the air like that.
46:30He will take your breath away unlike you players on the planet.
46:35Too little, too late for the Grizzlies.
46:39SGA contested three.
46:41And right there, SGA gets his 25th point.
46:49Staying with it, consistent with his looks and his shots.
46:53Doesn't change whether the ball's going in or not.
46:56May have been the toughest three he's taken tonight.
47:00As John Moran hits on the baseline.
47:04That'll get him to 23 points as we are inside of two minutes left.
47:10Again, game three of this series Thursday night in Memphis.
47:15So they're going to reach and foul here.
47:17So Giselle, Xander trying to turn the corner.
47:19On shooting as Memphis had one to give.
47:25As we are down to 137 left.
47:41SGA probing.
47:44Hartenstein.
47:46Home break still working.
47:50The missed floater.
47:53And then the hustle back on the other end.
47:58With the game out of reach.
48:00This right here is the reason why the Thunder are built different.
48:05You talk about film.
48:06What you're going to show as a coach.
48:08You're going to show those extra efforts.
48:09And the knee on the other end.
48:11You're going to show that as well.
48:14If you're the Grizzlies.
48:15You've got to clean that area up.
48:17If you're going to give yourself a chance in games three and four.
48:21Hartenstein trying to put him to sleep.
48:23Aldama's three.
48:24He's going to get another chance.
48:26And hits.
48:27So it was much better for Memphis tonight.
48:31But just consider.
48:33How much further they have to go.
48:36Against the team that has been the deadliest in the league this season.
48:40OKC.
48:41Best record in the league.
48:43They won the West by a staggering 16 games this season.
48:49Turn around.
48:52Hartenstein still hit the offensive glass.
48:55Unreal.
48:56Hitting the offensive glass.
48:58Up 17.
48:5927 seconds left.
49:00With almost a 2-0 lead.
49:02That's the extra effort and the energy that the Thunder play with consistently.
49:07It doesn't matter what gym.
49:08Where you're at.
49:09Just a bunch of hoopers.
49:11Love the play.
49:12Holmgren got a piece.
49:13And the exclamation point.
49:25They just do not stop.
49:30Jaylin down.
49:31They're running back.
49:32So they're running back.
49:33In a hole in a hole.
49:34How many are they going to do?
49:35No.
49:36One.
49:37Again.
49:38No.
49:39One.
49:40One.
49:41Two.
49:42Two.
49:43Two.
49:44Two.
49:45Two.
49:46Two.
49:48Two.
49:49One.
49:50Two.
49:51Two.
49:52Two.
49:53Two.
49:54take off the clock and Oklahoma
49:58City with another convincing win
50:02they take a command 2 0 series
50:04lead with this best of seven now
50:08headed to Memphis for games 3 and
50:114 Thursday and Saturday and it
50:15has been a historic start in this
50:18series looking what the Thunder
50:21have done on the heels of their
50:2251 point win in game 1 and win it
50:25tonight by 19 to take a 2 0 series
50:29lead and again Candace SGA didn't
50:33have his usual high efficiency game
50:35just 10 of 29 from the field but
50:37again it just speaks to what they
50:38built here with the depth that has
50:40been just staggering 33 bench points
50:45winning the paint to the point that
50:48paints in the points in the paint I'm
50:50going to get it out 54 to 46 in an
50:53area that Memphis has to win if they
50:56want a chance in the series and then
50:58just energy and effort throughout the
50:59night 3d standing by with Jalen
51:02Williams all right guys J-Dub normally
51:07when a young team beats a team by 51
51:09you question how they show up for game
51:11two you guys seem more hungry tonight
51:13than game one just you got to
51:15understand your opponent you know
51:17they were coming off playing 36
51:18hours before so we know we're gonna
51:20get like a better look that's a
51:22really good team they've had a hell
51:23of a season so we're coming in that
51:25mindset that we're gonna play a
51:26hungry version of them and you know
51:27we're gonna kick that same
51:28mentality for game three what can you
51:30tell the viewers first time watching
51:31you guys the chemistry the way you
51:33guys get along all the way down to
51:35the temp guy off the bench comes in
51:36and plays well I mean just kind of
51:38look at our interview it's just a
51:40brother that everybody wants
51:41everybody to succeed and I think
51:43that's something that we carry very
51:44deeply with each other last one for
51:46you what can you learn did you
51:47handle business and what do you
51:48take on the road to get another
51:49victory for game three we just got
51:51to look at the drawing board a little
51:52bit obviously if we keep the same
51:53mentality being hungry playing like
51:55we're down I think we'll be in good
51:56shape appreciate you yes sir
51:57appreciate it brother all right 3d
52:00special thanks to our terrific crew
52:02producer Bert Bondi our director Brent
52:04Christian and everyone in the truck
52:06Adam Holzman Keon Grissom Elizabeth
52:08Drayton our statistician here at the
52:10table has been Rich Gaynor our
52:12technical director Michael Lang and
52:15our audio extraordinaire Jeff Walker
52:17now for Candace 3d rest of our TNT
52:20cruise bureau Dines and good night
52:22from Oklahoma City you've been
52:24watching the NBA on TNT after the
52:27break we'll get you to EJ and the
52:29guys in Atlanta next
52:31tonight
52:31you
52:32you
52:33you
52:35you
52:38you
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