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00:00They don't want to miss any steps with the defensive side of the ball, and it's showing with the numbers.
00:07And they're also, I think, just so poised because the overall mentality is just to win.
00:13He said putting forth the correct mindset, the proper mindset as a collective,
00:17that it takes man 1 through 15 to have that winning mindset.
00:20All the steps in between, it matters.
00:23These guys understand it and they know it, and you're seeing it not just defensively,
00:26But on both sides right now, certainly just a well-oiled machine, Kevin.
00:30And Allie, to put a pin in that, because of that buy-in,
00:34this Thunder defensive team,
00:36the gap between the Thunder and the number two defense,
00:39which is the Pistons, is nearly seven points per 100 possessions.
00:43We have not seen that in the NBA, that disparity, that gap.
00:48So it goes to show you that...
00:50After review, it has been determined that when the illegal contact
00:53by Williams occurs in the post,
00:54Dylan Brooks had already began his upward shooting motion.
00:58Therefore, the basket counts.
00:59That'll be one shot for Mark Williams.
01:02We'll play off the mark or miss.
01:03Make a miss.
01:05There comes Williams with the explanation.
01:07Yep, good explanation.
01:08The shot is up in the air, and they're talking about the foul inside on J. Will.
01:17And right now, trying to get an explanation to Mike Dagnard.
01:22And to finish up on the defense,
01:23when they're all bought in,
01:25operating on the string,
01:27this is the beauty about the game of basketball.
01:29You see it all the time on offense,
01:31but you see it here in OKC,
01:32and the Pistons,
01:33on the defensive end.
01:35I'll go in with the line, four-point play.
01:38What he said is,
01:39he said,
01:39other teams see what we're doing.
01:41It's, you know,
01:42we're pressuring in the backcourt.
01:43We're playing physical on the offensive end.
01:47We have rim protection.
01:49Any team can do it.
01:50We just have bought into it.
01:53It's Wallace.
01:57Wiggins,
01:58with the shot clock down to three.
02:01Lou Dort triple.
02:02Good!
02:02Dort!
02:07He's back.
02:09He had missed some time
02:10with an abductor strain.
02:12Allen was driving and kicking
02:20and a whistle and a foul
02:21with three and a half to go
02:24here in the first half.
02:25When you think about player development
02:26here in OKC,
02:28it was only three or four years ago
02:30you would leave Lou Dort open
02:31for this shot.
02:32Now,
02:32he may only be shooting at 31% this year,
02:35but we know the improvement
02:36in which he made last year.
02:39Just excellent job of believing
02:40annoying when and where he's
02:42looking at those shots at Kevin.
02:44Allen Wiggins picked up his second.
02:46That three-point shot
02:47launched right there
02:48and missed outside.
02:51Brooks couldn't hit.
02:53There was a whistle
02:54and it goes on the thunder.
02:57Nope.
02:58They're just out of bounds.
02:59Just out of bounds.
03:02Shot clock at four.
03:04Into Brooks.
03:05Another steal.
03:06Wiggins got a hand on it.
03:08Dort is ahead.
03:09Trailing is J-Dub or J-Will.
03:14Outside.
03:14Wiggins.
03:15Three.
03:15Got it.
03:17And just that little cut
03:18by Case and Wallace
03:20opened it up for that cross-court pass
03:23from J-Will
03:24to Wiggins for an open three.
03:26The little things sometimes
03:28within your offensive set
03:29make the big difference
03:31in getting open or contested shots.
03:33Allen left the double.
03:35kicks it back to Brooks.
03:38Sidesteps to get that mid-ranger off.
03:41And it's collected in there
03:42by Wiggins.
03:43Down court breaking Wallace.
03:45And Shea kills his hand.
03:47Alexander with the feed.
03:48And it was pinpoint.
03:49I'll tell you what.
03:50They make it look so easy.
03:52The unselfishness and willingness
03:55to give the ball up early
03:57creates those opportunities.
03:59Booyer.
04:00This kid's shooting percentage
04:02is through the roof.
04:04That stops an 8-0 run
04:05by the Thunder on that
04:06Suns triple.
04:08Well, I tell you what, Booyer,
04:08when you know you're playing.
04:10The confidence that you have
04:11is insurmountable.
04:14O'Neal, three-on-one.
04:15Cross-court.
04:16The trailing Williams held down.
04:18And he will be fouled.
04:21Go back.
04:22Sharing the love.
04:23I mean, Steve Lavin,
04:24a good friend of mine,
04:25said share the sugar.
04:26Well, here you go.
04:27You cut and you give up.
04:28That's like a sacrifice cut.
04:30You give it up in order
04:31for the defense to react.
04:33And now you just make the play.
04:35And Wiggins is like,
04:36yeah, I got you.
04:36Good pass, baby.
04:37Wallace picked up
04:39his first foul.
04:40Mark Williams at the line.
04:42First meeting against
04:43Oklahoma City 12 days ago.
04:4513 points and 14 rebounds.
04:48Play, vote, and watch
04:49to complete the NBA
04:51ID's Cup Chase Challenge.
04:54Members in the U.S. and Canada
04:56who finish the challenge
04:57will be entered for a chance
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05:00All-Star Game
05:01and festivities in Los Angeles.
05:04Join now in the NBA app.
05:07Williams, a history of injuries,
05:10has stayed healthy.
05:12He's really been a wonderful
05:13remember he was the guy
05:14in that Laker trade last year
05:16that was recented
05:16because he won the physical.
05:18Three, Wallace known.
05:20I thought J-Dub had it lay up inside.
05:22He chose to give it up.
05:24Sometimes you just take that two.
05:26Go, let's be trying to chisel.
05:29In the way, Williams.
05:31Rebound, SGA.
05:32It's a three
05:37and it's perfect.
05:40And he's got
05:41in the contest
05:4217 points
05:44and two and two
05:46from distance.
05:49There's a minute and a half
05:50to play in the half.
05:51It's an elimination game
05:52in the Emirates NBA Cup.
05:58Brooks and Jalen Williams
05:59knocked away.
06:00Dork tried to retrieve.
06:02Brooks on the wing.
06:03O'Neal the fake.
06:04And the drive
06:05and the scoop
06:06and the whistle.
06:07Too much time.
06:08But it's too much time
06:09but it's relentless pressure.
06:11Giving the extra effort.
06:12Second, third.
06:13That OKC does.
06:15In transition.
06:17The step back.
06:18Height wins a lot of times, my man.
06:21Good defense by Colin Gillespie
06:22but you're giving up
06:23about five inches.
06:25The shot clock violation.
06:27Back on the side.
06:28George.
06:28Oh!
06:29Another three.
06:30It's the biggest lead
06:32for the Oklahoma City Thunder.
06:36Allen drives.
06:38Williams defending.
06:39Brooks on top.
06:40Closed by SGA.
06:42The three is right down the hatch.
06:44Well, this is where
06:45Phoenix you miss
06:46a Devin Booker
06:47because he's able
06:47to calm the storm
06:48a little bit
06:49because he's a go-to player
06:51that when you need
06:52consecutive buckets
06:53in a row
06:54you can go and get.
06:55Keep in mind
06:56Jalen Green
06:56also out of the lineup
06:58is a bucket getter.
06:59Makes it extremely tough
07:00when you're not making shots
07:01against this OKC team.
07:04The game is shooting 58%.
07:06They're averaging 50%
07:08as a team.
07:08Number one in the NBA.
07:09Three.
07:10George.
07:11Another one!
07:12He's a machine!
07:14George!
07:17Three in a row!
07:18Nine points
07:19in the second quarter.
07:22And look at the lead.
07:25Mason Allen.
07:27Rebound Wallace.
07:28They can hold it here
07:29and take it to the half.
07:31The champions
07:38looking better than ever.
07:41And this is a hard
07:43playing Suns team.
07:45Wallace out.
07:46Williams three.
07:47Oh my goodness!
07:50It is a gallery inside.
07:53A 20-6 run
07:54and the first half.
07:55And the first half.
07:55And the first half.
08:03Well how efficient
08:05is this OKC team?
08:06You got 26 made field goals
08:08off 15 assists.
08:09Inside two feet
08:11to paint.
08:12J-Dub.
08:13Appreciate you my man.
08:15The pitch is like
08:18all three of them things
08:19right there.
08:20Take them.
08:20All right.
08:22Stay tuned for the half.
08:24Presented by AT&T.
08:27It's an elimination game.
08:29The winner here
08:29will play the winner
08:31of game two
08:31on Prime tonight.
08:33The Spurs and Lakers.
08:34In the studio,
08:35Taylor Rooks,
08:37Blake Griffin,
08:38Steve Nash,
08:39Udonis Aslam,
08:40and John Wall.
08:41The Thunder,
08:42the Suns.
08:42This is the NBA
08:45on Prime.
08:54Presented by AT&T.
08:58Halftime in OKC.
09:00The Thunder lead
09:01the Suns 74-48
09:03in the NBA Cup
09:04quarterfinals.
09:05Welcome on in.
09:06I'm Taylor Rooks
09:07with John Wall,
09:08Steve Nash,
09:08Blake Griffin,
09:09and Udonis Aslam.
09:10And guys,
09:11it was all Thunder
09:12all the way.
09:12The Suns got to within
09:1312 points before
09:14OKC went on
09:15a 20-7 run
09:17to close the half.
09:18UD, you said it back there.
09:19The Thunder are textbook
09:20and they always
09:21make the right play.
09:22The tone was set
09:23immediately with
09:2410 minutes to go
09:25in the first quarter
09:25when Kaysom Wallace
09:26got switched on
09:27to Mark Williams.
09:29Yep.
09:29Most of the times
09:30we see,
09:30how many times, guys,
09:31have we seen guards
09:32settle in behind that big?
09:33Let him get a layup.
09:35If he catches it,
09:35foul him.
09:36What does Kaysom Wallace do?
09:37Fight around,
09:39get a deflection,
09:40turn it into a turnover.
09:41You get SGA
09:42going downhill
09:42to the other end.
09:43Two fouls,
09:44gets to the free throw line,
09:45gets two free throws.
09:46The tone was set
09:47immediately on the
09:48defensive end.
09:49Yeah, we sat back there
09:50and watched Oklahoma City
09:51just play basketball
09:53and I said to the group,
09:54I was,
09:55should we just start
09:56trying to count
09:56how many times
09:57they don't make
09:58the right play?
09:58Because it seems like
09:59every time down the floor
10:00they either make
10:02the right play
10:02or they're trying
10:03to make the right play,
10:04right?
10:04It's the spirit
10:04at which you play
10:05and it seems like
10:07they always look
10:08for each other.
10:09They always try
10:09to make that extra pass
10:11and that keeps
10:12everybody involved,
10:13keeps everybody happy
10:13and when everybody's happy,
10:15everybody's having fun.
10:17I mean,
10:1713 and 19 from three.
10:19It's pretty good.
10:20It seems this good
10:21when they're shooting
10:22that well.
10:23Add to that,
10:24just the shock quality
10:25the Suns get.
10:26This is the thing, right?
10:27You want to play fast
10:28in this area.
10:28You want to play
10:29against a broken defense
10:30but when they're so talented,
10:32they're able to get
10:32deflections, steals,
10:33they speed you up.
10:35You end up turning
10:35what you think
10:36is an opportunity
10:37into a bad opportunity
10:39and so shock quality
10:40is really important
10:40for the Suns
10:41in the second half.
10:42Yeah, I think we talked
10:42about the other guys,
10:43you know what I mean?
10:44And the other guys
10:44came in and played
10:45the right way.
10:46They're making
10:46the right passes.
10:47They're making
10:47the right shots
10:48but no matter
10:48who's on the floor
10:49for OKC,
10:50they're so great
10:51defensively but
10:51you can't shoot 68
10:53from the three
10:53and 60 from the field.
10:54Like all their shots
10:55is like they're going in
10:56and like the last clip
10:58of the quarter
10:58right before halftime,
10:59SGA get double-teamed
11:00throw a pocket pass
11:01to Casey Wallace,
11:02kick out of Jalen Williams,
11:03wide open three.
11:04Yeah, Steve,
11:05what do you tell a team
11:06at halftime
11:07when you just experienced
11:08like an onslaught
11:09and not just an offensive
11:10onslaught,
11:11a defensive onslaught,
11:12turnovers,
11:13getting out in the open court
11:14and then guys hitting threes.
11:15What do you say at halftime
11:17besides, hey, keep playing?
11:19Like what is the,
11:20what is the actual thing?
11:21It's difficult
11:22but it's a mental challenge now.
11:24Let's be winners.
11:25Let's play the right way.
11:25Let's play our identity
11:27and just try to get back
11:28in the game
11:29possession by possession.
11:30All right,
11:30it's time for Court Connection
11:32presented by AT&T.
11:34Like you all said,
11:34six assists in the first half
11:36for SGA,
11:37including this nice one here
11:38to Casey Wallace.
11:39Thunder up by 26
11:40on the Suns
11:41in the Cup quarterfinals.
11:43We will be right back
11:43with more on the half
11:44presented by AT&T.
11:53Stickers getting ready
11:54for the Cup quarterfinals
11:55at Crypto.
11:56It's LA against San Antonio
11:58in game two
11:59of our doubleheader tonight.
12:00I know we are all
12:04very much so
12:04looking forward
12:05to that game.
12:06Steve,
12:06I want to know
12:07what you have your eyes
12:08on for the Lakers.
12:09Well,
12:09we know Luka Doncic
12:10is leading the league
12:10in scoring.
12:11It's been phenomenal
12:12this year,
12:12but it's been great
12:13to see LeBron James
12:14integrate himself back in,
12:16starting to get his legs,
12:17his rhythm,
12:17making an impact
12:18that we know
12:19he's been able
12:19to make on this team.
12:20Not always with the ball,
12:22not without the ball.
12:23He's just been really impactful
12:24over the last year
12:25with Luka,
12:25so I'm looking forward
12:26to seeing him
12:26continue to edge forward
12:28together.
12:28Yeah,
12:29and I look at
12:29the contrasting styles
12:30of these teams
12:31because the Lakers
12:32are great at guarding
12:33the paint,
12:33but not great at guarding
12:34the three-point line,
12:35so what does San Antonio
12:37do well?
12:38Get two feet in the paint
12:39and they shoot 40%
12:40from the three-point line
12:41when they get in that paint,
12:42so if I'm looking
12:43at this game
12:43and I'm in San Antonio,
12:45how many times
12:45can we get the Lakers
12:46in multiple closeouts?
12:47How can we get them
12:48in multiple positions
12:48defensively?
12:49And offensively,
12:50the Lakers
12:50are going to play that game.
12:51You've got a young team
12:52that wants to run,
12:52how do we slow them down?
12:53Get to the free throw line,
12:54get in their head mentally,
12:55so both of these teams
12:56have an advantage
12:57and I'm seeing
12:57who's going to impose
12:58their will.
12:59Yeah,
12:59and San Antonio
12:59has done it by committee
13:00since Wemby's been out.
13:01I mean,
13:02it's not just De'Aaron Fox,
13:04it's Castle,
13:05it's Vassell,
13:06Harrison Barnes
13:07is playing unbeatable
13:08basketball,
13:08Luke Cornett
13:09coming in and giving minutes.
13:10Come on!
13:11Big Luke!
13:11Let's go.
13:12So,
13:13and that's just
13:14a nightmare for teams.
13:15You know,
13:15you just go in,
13:15play hard,
13:16they've found something
13:17that works
13:17and they're winning
13:18basketball games for it.
13:19Yeah,
13:20a lot of big games
13:20or big names
13:21in that one tonight.
13:22Everybody trying to make
13:23their way to Vegas.
13:24All right,
13:24time for Court Connection
13:25presented by AT&T.
13:27The reigning MVP
13:28has 17 points
13:29at the break.
13:30SJ and the Thunder
13:31lead the Suns
13:3174-48
13:33in the NBA Cup
13:34quarterfinals.
13:35The second half
13:35is coming at you.
13:39The Half
13:40is presented by AT&T.
13:43Connecting
13:43Welcome back
13:57to Oklahoma City
13:58and the Emirates
13:59NBA Cup
13:59quarterfinals
14:00on prime.
14:01An elimination game.
14:03NBA champion
14:03Thunder
14:04on top
14:05of the Suns
14:0574-58.
14:08Kevin Harland,
14:09Jim Jackson
14:10will check in
14:11with Allie Clifton
14:12in just one second.
14:14There's so many things
14:14that catch your eye
14:16that impress you
14:16about the Thunder.
14:17Give me a couple
14:18that you're thinking
14:19about here
14:20as we go to the second half.
14:21Teamwork never gets old,
14:22whether that's
14:23on the offensive end
14:24or the defensive end.
14:25Sharing the ball
14:26but also sharing
14:27responsibilities
14:28on how to support
14:29each other
14:29on the defensive end.
14:30They do it on both ends.
14:31And that's why,
14:32you know,
14:33it's going to be tough
14:34unless some injuries happen
14:35for them not to repeat
14:36as champions.
14:37Well,
14:38and they would equal
14:38with a win tonight.
14:39The best 25-game
14:41start in NBA history
14:43looking at the first-half stats
14:45presented by Kia.
14:47There's a look
14:48at Shea Gilgis-Alexander
14:50and what he's done.
14:51By the way,
14:52when he was in,
14:53they were plus 28 points
14:55and the plus-minus,
14:58which says
14:58all you need to know
14:59about his effect
15:00on the game.
15:00Well,
15:01this could be
15:01a record-breaking season
15:02as a team
15:03in total for all KC
15:04but also individually
15:05for SGA.
15:06Keep in mind,
15:07coming into this game,
15:0895 straight games
15:09of 20-plus or more.
15:12The record
15:12is by the man himself,
15:14Will,
15:14that 126.
15:15Can that be done
15:16by SGA?
15:17He makes it look so simple,
15:19it's not out of reach,
15:20Kevin.
15:21It's Holmgren right here
15:22and Mark Williams
15:23is on him
15:23and the shot clock
15:24is down to four.
15:26He'll work in
15:27and Williams
15:28holding his own
15:29but a left-hand,
15:30an off-hand shot there
15:31by Holmgren.
15:32The beautiful footwork,
15:33the up and under,
15:35the patience.
15:36That's why I said
15:37the skill set for Holmgren
15:38is only growing
15:39year by year
15:41still scratching
15:43that offensive potential.
15:44Raisin Allen,
15:46Williams, Brooks,
15:47Allen puts up his shot
15:49as he's fouled
15:49by SGA on top.
15:51Oh,
15:51out of bounds at sales.
15:54It is Oklahoma City's ball.
15:56Well, I thought he was
15:57caught a foul
15:58but watch this step through
16:00up under,
16:01opposite hand,
16:02soft touch.
16:03Oklahoma City's 74 points
16:06at the half,
16:07just one shy
16:08of their first half high
16:09this season.
16:10They get two to drop
16:11right there
16:11and it's Jalen Williams
16:13who puts it in.
16:19The hesitation by Allen
16:21right into Holmgren.
16:22That's a tough shot.
16:23Jalen Williams
16:23got a hand on it.
16:24The collision
16:25and they get it
16:27out to Gillespie.
16:28Royce O'Neal 3.
16:32The rebound
16:33by Jada.
16:35But even in that
16:36scramble defense
16:37he was still Luke Dort
16:38not giving up
16:39on the play
16:40to get out there
16:40speaking of wishes.
16:41I mean,
16:44listen,
16:44Isaiah Thomas
16:45told me this.
16:46The man
16:47who's lowest win,
16:48okay,
16:49lowest meaning
16:49that's what
16:50SGA was able
16:52to do
16:53and this team
16:53just keeps pouring
16:54it on.
16:55We're just getting
16:56started here
16:57in the third quarter.
16:58He's got 19.
17:00After we're finished
17:01here in Oklahoma
17:02we'll take it
17:02to Los Angeles.
17:04Luka Doncic
17:04and LeBron James
17:08and the Lakers
17:09will face the Spurs.
17:10The winner here
17:11will play the winner
17:12of L.A.
17:14and San Antonio.
17:16Next
17:16on Prime
17:17Grayson Allen
17:19the three away
17:20and the rebound
17:23controlled by Dort
17:24who had a flourish
17:26of threes
17:27to close out
17:28the second quarter.
17:29It's Holmgren
17:34and he's got
17:3615 points
17:37five rebounds
17:38and headshot
17:39the three no
17:40and the Suns
17:42the other way
17:43with the whistle
17:44in backcourt.
17:47That foul was taken
17:48by Casey Watts
17:49to come out the game.
17:50Now he's going out
17:50to the locker room.
17:52He had to peel back
17:53and see
17:54what happened
17:55maybe on that last
17:56defensive possession.
17:59Paul was picked
18:01up his second.
18:02As you can see
18:03he leads.
18:06It must be good
18:07to give up
18:08a take foul.
18:09The point that you're
18:10going to give up
18:10two free throws
18:11that the score
18:12is padded enough
18:13to be able
18:15to do that.
18:17Get down
18:17a little bit
18:18of space.
18:19You think
18:20there's just
18:21a little bit
18:22of space.
18:23A little bit of space.
18:23Aaron Wiggins
18:24will check in.
18:25Dort is in.
18:26J-Dubb remains
18:30on the floor.
18:31Holmgren in the middle.
18:32Shea Gilders
18:32that ball is knocked away.
18:35Because it was deflected
18:36over a back shot clock
18:38at nine.
18:40It's Brace and Allen.
18:42With the switch,
18:44the feed,
18:44Williams,
18:45the collision
18:46with Dort
18:46and the foul.
18:47It's still not getting easy.
18:48Let's go back
18:49and see.
18:49I think
18:50this play
18:50will indicate
18:51or show.
18:52Hinson
18:52Wallace.
18:54Yep,
18:54right there.
18:54Boom.
18:55Oh my goodness.
18:56It may not seem
18:57like much on TV
18:58but that impact
18:59you could tell
19:02he was jarred.
19:03And he's
19:04a little staggered
19:06right there.
19:07Right there.
19:09Dort picked up
19:10his second
19:11and Mark Williams
19:12at the free throw line.
19:14And even,
19:15you know,
19:16Allie talked about this
19:17about how this team
19:18consistently talked
19:20about getting better
19:21and working hard.
19:22Well,
19:23on that last defensive play,
19:24Lou Doerr didn't have
19:25to rotate it.
19:25He could have gave up
19:26a layup.
19:26It wouldn't have meant
19:27anything.
19:28But,
19:29it's those little things
19:30that come back
19:31to help or hurt you
19:32in a tough series
19:34when you don't do it
19:35consistently.
19:37J-Dub puts it in.
19:40Oklahoma City
19:40has now led
19:4130 points or more
19:43in 10 of the 25 games.
19:44The steal
19:45and there it is.
19:46Over 20 again.
19:4796 consecutive game.
19:50Oh,
19:50keep that clock running
19:52for SGA.
19:53Look at this, man.
19:53I mean,
19:54just another steal.
19:55And door to the trailing
19:57home run
19:57to the trailing
19:59Shade Pilgers
20:00Alexander
20:01inside home run.
20:06I tell you,
20:08a lot like Denver
20:09when your best player
20:10probably your most
20:11unselfish player
20:11giving up himself
20:13on both ends
20:14of the court.
20:15Williams takes it in.
20:17Wiggins and Holmgren
20:18met him.
20:19Everybody else
20:20falls in line.
20:21I mean,
20:22Yoka just like that
20:23in Denver.
20:24Watch SGA.
20:27Kogi's able
20:28to get it.
20:30Easiest, too.
20:31He's gotten all night.
20:32Everybody likes
20:33a zero-footer.
20:34Yep,
20:34he falls in,
20:35and it was time
20:36to find better moments
20:38presented by Amritz.
20:42I'll mention this again.
20:43If the Thunder win
20:45tonight,
20:46they will equal
20:48the NBA record
20:49for the most wins
20:50in the first 25 games
20:52of an NBA season.
20:54Going back to 2015,
20:57the Golden State Warriors
20:58began 24-1.
21:02Holmgren's lost it.
21:04Jordan vacuums it in.
21:06Even when they screw up,
21:08they succeed.
21:09Oh,
21:09knocked away Williams
21:10with a nice defensive play
21:11and a four-on-two.
21:14With a driving,
21:15Royce O'Neal.
21:16I think for the deuce.
21:17Go back to that record,
21:19too.
21:19Now, 15 wins in a row,
21:20they win 16.
21:21Yep.
21:21Now we start talking
21:23about history.
21:25In 1971-72,
21:26Los Angeles Lakers
21:27have won 33 games
21:29in a row.
21:31That is in reach
21:32based on the schedule
21:34of OKC
21:36in the next month
21:36and a half.
21:38Allen will take it
21:39into a couple defenders.
21:40They win project.
21:41Down he goes.
21:42Whistleblown with a foul.
21:43Remember,
21:44last year,
21:44Oklahoma City
21:46lost to the Bucs
21:47in the NBA Cup Finals.
21:50So they come into
21:51this year,
21:52maybe even
21:52with a little bit more
21:53to prove.
21:54A little revenge
21:54on the mind.
21:55Allen is up the line.
21:57Wiggins,
21:57Jim picked up
21:58his fourth foul.
22:00But, you know,
22:01even for a team
22:02as a conference
22:02as OKC,
22:03the little challenges
22:05that you present
22:06to yourselves
22:07count.
22:09Okay?
22:09Is it,
22:10okay,
22:10let's win
22:11the Emirates Cup
22:11season.
22:13Let's finish
22:14this way
22:15at the end
22:16of the season.
22:16Then let's worry
22:17about winning
22:18the championship
22:19as little goals
22:20that you try
22:21to achieve,
22:21not just for OKC
22:22but for teams
22:23that provide
22:24the kind of motivation
22:25more importantly
22:26to buy-in
22:27that you need
22:28to ultimately
22:29be as successful
22:31as you can be.
22:32And some coaches
22:33and players
22:33will chop up
22:34the season
22:35as a foul
22:35is called inside.
22:36They'll chop up
22:36the season
22:37in quarters
22:39and thirds
22:40and ten game
22:41packages
22:42as they take
22:43those steps
22:44that they feel
22:45and don't get
22:46lost with their
22:47compass
22:48in looking too
22:48far ahead
22:49or too much
22:50in the past.
22:54We'll take a break.
22:557.52 to go
22:56here in the third
22:57as the Thunder
22:59the champion
22:59to the NBA
23:00in full control.
23:03Pressed up
23:04for the holidays
23:05with the NBA
23:05on Prime
23:06brought to you
23:07by CarMax
23:08on a drive
23:09by AWS.
23:12AWS AI
23:13is how the NBA
23:14brings fans
23:16inside the game
23:17and by McDonald's.
23:21All right.
23:22There was a challenge
23:23by Phoenix
23:24and Allen's foul
23:26was called
23:27and they have ruled
23:28in favor
23:29of the Suns.
23:31Felt it was
23:32necessary here
23:33that it wasn't
23:33a foul.
23:35Vindication right
23:36there on that.
23:37Now if you take
23:37advantage of it.
23:38He hits the deck
23:39he keeps it alive
23:40and Brooks will
23:41work here on
23:42Dort.
23:43Plenty of time
23:44to fire
23:44and his three
23:45is away.
23:47Rebound by
23:47Holmgren.
23:48He's got six.
23:51Gilchus Alexander
23:52right to the hole.
23:54to be quick
23:56not fast
23:57and that time
23:58you know
23:59SG is not going to
24:00beat you
24:00with blinding speed
24:02but his quickness
24:03changing direction
24:04be able to explode
24:06was on display
24:07that time
24:08in transition.
24:09Brooks can't get it.
24:10Holmgren does.
24:12And Gilchus Alexander
24:13the other way
24:14with 23
24:14finding Wiggins
24:15off that baseline
24:16knocked away
24:17by Williams
24:18and it's the Suns
24:20with the Steel.
24:26Brace and Allen
24:27to Mark Williams
24:28and that is down.
24:33Rear year last year
24:34with 15 points
24:35and 10 rebounds
24:36with the Hornets.
24:37This year
24:37he's at 13 and 8
24:38but really
24:40has made a difference
24:41for the Suns.
24:42They love the acquisition
24:43and he loves playing
24:44with them.
24:46The 2-3 zone
24:46here switch up.
24:49Dort with a 3.
24:57Suns began this season
24:591-4
24:59but since that time
25:00they've gotten
25:01fresh and Allen
25:01with the 3-off balance
25:03and the rebound
25:04by Aaron Wiggins
25:05who's out of Maryland.
25:09Late 2nd round pick.
25:10Beautiful stroke.
25:14Just a gorgeous throw up there
25:16by Gilchus Alexander
25:18with 26.
25:19The ball moves faster
25:20than bodies
25:20in that time.
25:21Quick decision making
25:22by OKC.
25:27Watch the ball
25:28as it pops around
25:29the perimeter.
25:30Chet,
25:31J-Dub,
25:33SGA
25:33three ball corner pocket.
25:38Gonna go a little bit
25:39small here.
25:40Mark Williams
25:40will leave
25:41for the Suns.
25:44And they go
25:46and bring in
25:46Ryan Dunn.
25:52And Holmgren
25:52picked up
25:53by Grayson Allen.
25:58Shot plot
25:59is down to 5.
26:02It's Jalen Williams
26:03over Dunn.
26:05Holmgren
26:06the rebound.
26:07Hustle
26:07got it
26:08fouled.
26:09He wasn't contested.
26:12It was.
26:12Well,
26:13but as a result
26:14of going small
26:15and you're going
26:16to switch
26:16all five guys,
26:18Chet Holmgren
26:19is going to have
26:20of course
26:21a smaller defender on.
26:23So if he's hovering
26:23around the basket,
26:24the shot is up.
26:25If you can't wedge him
26:26out early,
26:27that size
26:29is going to pay
26:29dividends for him
26:30and right there
26:31not only
26:31to finish it
26:32but finish it
26:33through the contact.
26:34They move the ball
26:35around and I
26:35a little bit more
26:36than we've seen.
26:36They pass the ball
26:37though the fewest times
26:39of any team
26:40except for the Lakers.
26:42They're a heavy
26:42isolation offense
26:43but tonight they seem
26:44to really be roadjated.
26:46But also too,
26:47when you look at
26:48field goals game,
26:49they're probably about
26:5018th field goal
26:50attempts a game.
26:51but they're one
26:52of the most efficient
26:53team.
26:54So even though
26:55they're in the,
26:56you know,
26:57second half of that
26:59game that really
27:02efficient at converting
27:04in their half court
27:05set to whatever
27:05it may be
27:06in transition
27:07or their opportunities
27:09when they shoot
27:09the basketball.
27:11Ryan Dunn
27:12had that
27:13interference call
27:14on him.
27:19When you're here
27:20goes to
27:20Las Vegas.
27:22Uh-oh.
27:23Uh-oh.
27:24Uh-oh.
27:24Uh-oh.
27:25Uh-oh.
27:26Uh-oh.
27:26Uh-oh.
27:26Uh-oh.
27:27Uh-oh.
27:27Uh-oh.
27:27Uh-oh.
27:27Uh-oh.
27:27Uh-oh.
27:28Uh-oh.
27:28Uh-oh.
27:28Uh-oh.
27:29Uh-oh.
27:29Uh-oh.
27:29Uh-oh.
27:30Uh-oh.
27:30Uh-oh.
27:30Uh-oh.
27:30Uh-oh.
27:31Uh-oh.
27:31Uh-oh.
27:31Uh-oh.
27:32Uh-oh.
27:32Uh-oh.
27:32Uh-oh.
27:33Uh-oh.
27:33Uh-oh.
27:33Uh-oh.
27:34Uh-oh.
27:34Uh-oh.
27:34Uh-oh.
27:35Uh-oh.
27:35Uh-oh.
27:36Uh-oh.
27:36Uh-oh.
27:37Uh-oh.
27:54Субтитры сделал DimaTorzok
28:24Grayson Allen, he leaned in.
28:26Oh, no, he leaned in.
28:27He extended it.
28:28He extended it.
28:33Now, what's interesting is that
28:34the chest, my guy,
28:39I don't know if that was Dylan Brooks.
28:41I don't know if he'd be so quick to get up and go
28:43and rush him.
28:46And Grayson Allen just walks away like he didn't do anything.
28:50It's always a second guy,
28:51but I think because of the review,
28:53this may be unnecessary.
28:57This Thunder team's second-past 24 games
28:59starting NBA history.
29:02Margin of victory has been historic
29:04with the number one defense,
29:05number one defensive efficiency.
29:08It was interesting to visit with Mark Dagnalt,
29:21the coach of the Thunder,
29:23and there may not be a better young coach in the league.
29:26So we approach this season not as a champion.
29:28After review, after review,
29:31it has been determined that there is impact,
29:33wind-up, and follow-through by Grayson Allen.
29:36This play has been upgraded
29:37to a flag-and-file penalty two.
29:39Grayson Allen has been ejected from the game.
29:42It'll be two shots for Trent Holman,
29:44and he'll end the City Ball side-out.
29:46Well, like, the wind-up is right here,
30:04and then the push.
30:21What a great shot by our crew.
30:23Oh, man.
30:23Holmgren is at the line.
30:25So we go back to this Dagnall story.
30:28We approach the season not as a champion,
30:31but as if we lost in the second round.
30:35And how could we evolve from that loss?
30:38They took that mentality
30:39as opposed to the mentality of a champion
30:41investing on what they did.
30:43But that is not the theme with this team and organization.
30:48To me, Kevin, it's twofold.
30:50For such a young team to carry the maturity
30:55in which they have, not just this year,
30:57but over the last several years,
30:59has been important to why this team
31:02not only won it,
31:04but has a chance to repeat.
31:10And, Kev, I just want to add
31:11to what you were just saying right there,
31:13because Mark Dagnall has even said,
31:16yes, this is a cup game.
31:17Yes, this is obviously another opportunity
31:20one step closer to the NBA Cup in Vegas,
31:23but their mentality is they treat every game the same.
31:26You guys have been touching on this
31:27here in the second half especially.
31:28He said, anytime the scoreboard's on,
31:30we want to be on it.
31:31He said that consistency is the point.
31:33When you hold yourself to that standard night after night,
31:35which is what the Thunder are all about,
31:37Dagnall said the stakes don't change you.
31:39He said whether it's a cup knockout,
31:41for the playoffs, a regular season game,
31:42you're already conditioned to operate at that level.
31:45Alley, that's great because when you're in the midst of
31:49a record-breaking season,
31:51I mean, a lot of things have been pulled.
31:53Can this team win 78 games?
31:55That's not what they're focused on.
31:57It was a game against the Dallas Mavericks
31:59where they gave up, I mean, the Golden State Warriors,
32:01they gave up 45 points in the third quarter.
32:04And Mike Wilkes was telling me
32:05that assistant coach for OKC,
32:07coaching staff grilled into the team the next day.
32:10And they took it.
32:11They said, you know what, you're right.
32:12We have bigger goals that we want to accomplish
32:15and we have to get better.
32:17That's why this team continues to astound and amaze
32:20at such a young age
32:21that they're able to state this ultra-focus
32:24despite being the reigning champion.
32:26George picked up his third foul.
32:31Dillages now with Xander with 26.
32:33Brooks is on him.
32:34And Richards has come in for the first time,
32:43got the rebound out to Brooks.
32:443-0 good.
32:48J-Dob, George.
32:51Brooks foul.
32:52Now the air ball.
33:08Kick ahead and Dort knowing and preparing
33:11for some kind of contact from Dillon Brooks.
33:14Brooks, you're going to foul him.
33:16They'll let him get to two.
33:18Brooks picks up his third.
33:20Lou Dort initially on a two-week contract
33:25after being undrafted out of Arizona State.
33:40It's Jonathan Goodwin.
33:42Jordan Goodwin will take it in.
33:44And that is over Chet Holmgren,
33:45who took a swipe at it.
33:47Jordan Goodwin.
33:47came off the bench the first game
33:51against Oklahoma City 12 days ago
33:53and had 14 points.
33:56Kildjus Alexander.
33:59You know what's interesting,
34:00and I've been waiting to say this.
34:04I mean, Steele after this play.
34:06It is a complete obliteration.
34:15Another statement made by the defending champions,
34:18who are going to equal the biggest,
34:21best start in NBA history in the first 25 games.
34:27And the ball turned over,
34:29and the Thunder will have it,
34:31and 3.23 to go in the third.
34:33Think about this.
34:34Three of the top five players in this league,
34:36if you look at Luka, Jokic, and SGA,
34:40there may be two other in the top 15,
34:42with Jalen Brunson and Alprin Singung.
34:44They play below the rim.
34:47Those four players, five players,
34:50get to their spots.
34:51They don't get sped up.
34:53Outstanding footwork.
34:55They know how to fight through contact.
34:58And it's amazing when you watch those five players play,
35:01how sometimes simple they make the game,
35:04and easy it looks that time.
35:06Like right there with Jalen Williams,
35:08J. Will sliding in with his first two.
35:13Booyah is in.
35:16Richards is screen.
35:17Brooks on top.
35:18Caruso's on it.
35:19Under three to go in the third.
35:22Coming up next, Spurs and Lakers from L.A.
35:25That is a three.
35:27And the miss by Dunn.
35:31Wiggins to Caruso, the triple.
35:35Richards the rebound.
35:46Brooks muscling his way for the shot.
35:49And Aaron Wiggins will control it.
35:51I tell you what,
35:52and despite what the coaches always say,
35:55don't score watch,
35:57this OKC team is still playing hard.
35:59Look at this.
36:00You could easily give that up,
36:01but that's not the mantra,
36:02so still playing hard.
36:03The good ones even take a game like this,
36:06which is completely out of hand,
36:07and they work on the little things
36:09that may off down the road,
36:10don't they?
36:11Championship teams always do that.
36:12Well, but you saw the last offensive play,
36:14the pick and roll,
36:15as it got to the second side,
36:16to swing it downhill,
36:18and then make the play.
36:19Because that play is going to be utilized
36:21and needed at some point during the season.
36:24So you've got to work on it right now,
36:26in-game activity.
36:27And the same can be said, too,
36:30with the Suns, yes.
36:32This may not be our night,
36:33but we can work on things
36:34that will help down the road.
36:35Well, USC, too,
36:36in games like this,
36:37coaches call a timeout
36:39for special situations
36:40to run a play
36:41against an opponent
36:42and live-game action
36:44to see,
36:46one,
36:46can your team run it
36:47and what kind of effect
36:49it has offensively
36:50to be utilized later down the line.
36:53Richards picks up his first foul.
36:55A.J. Mitchell is in.
37:08Caruso's underneath.
37:10And the defense there for the Suns.
37:12And their great mark this season
37:13has been playing hard.
37:15Always play hard.
37:16And even in a game like this,
37:17don't give up.
37:18Don't give up.
37:19Gillespie, Richards.
37:21Tapped and deflected by Caruso.
37:23He took that up.
37:25Here's one man took him out.
37:27He didn't want to get that easy, too.
37:28You know, he didn't want to get it.
37:30But, yeah, that's the rotation
37:32you talked about
37:33that you got to consistently do.
37:35Okay, yeah.
37:36Now, it's my job to pin down.
37:38And that's what Caruso was able to do.
37:42Must be drives
37:43on the horn.
37:47Wow.
37:48Booyer.
37:50And the man to Jordan Goodwin.
37:52Played at St. Louis.
37:53That's a record center there.
37:59That's a three, and it's in.
38:03Jordan Goodwin.
38:12In the final minute of the third.
38:18Mitchell puts it through.
38:19A.J. Mitchell from UC Santa Barbara.
38:24Early second round selection.
38:26Little...
38:26Turnover right there in Caruso.
38:30Kenridge Williams.
38:35He had missed 18 games with a luck knee injury.
38:38The other way.
38:38Jordan Goodwin.
38:40Knocked away.
38:40On it for two.
38:42The ball to goaltend on the play.
38:44It was a knockaway.
38:44They did.
38:45It was...
38:46Jalen Williams.
38:47J. Will with the goaltending.
38:50Yeah.
38:51Off the...
38:51Off the glass right there.
38:52And he got it on the back.
38:53But still getting back.
38:56But you see the effort really by both teams.
38:59Both teams.
39:00I mean, this Phoenix team, the scoreboard may not indicate it.
39:03It made some mistakes not making shots.
39:05But one thing you're not going to see on the tape when you watch it the next day, if you're doing it not, is this guy's giving up.
39:13They're not playing hard.
39:14Cameron Williams, three.
39:18Other triple falls.
39:19He's got five.
39:21Points off turnovers tonight.
39:23Incredible by the Thunder.
39:25Goodwin got it.
39:26As he beats the buzzer on the tray.
39:29Oklahoma City has 31 points off turnovers.
39:34They have led by as many as 43.
39:38And they're thinking about going to the strip in Vegas.
39:52J.Dop takes it inside.
39:54Hard.
39:54It's Brooks.
39:55Right into home run.
39:57It's Caruso for three.
39:58Good feed.
39:59Williams got it on tap.
40:00Oh, my goodness.
40:02Two on one.
40:03Done.
40:04Shea Gilgis-Alexander.
40:07In that third quarter, Holmgren had 11.
40:10Shea Gilgis-Alexander had 11.
40:12They outscored him.
40:14The Thunder did by 12 in the third.
40:17After outscoring him by 11 in the second and 15 in the first.
40:21And time now for Play Your Game presented by FanDuel.
40:26The numbers for Holmgren.
40:29He's looked terrific.
40:31And, of course, the reigning MVP, the Finals MVP, the scoring champion, Shea Gilgis-Alexander with 28 points.
40:42FanDuel is the best place for live betting and same game parlay.
40:46Download the FanDuel Sportsbook app now and play your game.
40:50We start the fourth quarter.
40:56It's Mitchell.
40:57And they swing it around.
41:05With Gabriel on top.
41:07And Williams of three in the Miss and Richards will collect it.
41:11Another game.
41:13That's something drastically changes that SGA will not be participating in the fourth quarter.
41:19He's got some size they like.
41:21Guzman Jang is in now for the Thunder.
41:24Brandon Carlson has come in.
41:27He's played the last two games, so the third game in a row for him.
41:30He's got some size they like.
41:35And it's Jordan Goodwin with the Richard screen.
41:38And Wiggins trying to defend on the shot.
41:40Off of OKC.
41:42No, it's off the Phoenix Suns.
41:44So the Suns are going to go to 24-1 and stay undefeated home at 12-0.
41:55Another night's work, but.
41:59Or the Thunder.
41:59Yeah, Thunder.
42:00And you keep in mind.
42:01These are.
42:03This is a professional team.
42:05They go in and look at it, even on the second unit here.
42:07We saw this second unit here.
42:09OKC fan against Utah.
42:10They all operate the same way, defensively, offensively so.
42:16Even though, again, not scoreboard watching.
42:19You're OKC.
42:20Booye 3.
42:22With the rebound hauled in inside.
42:26And they got Jang the other way.
42:30And inside for Carlson.
42:33Who made it look easy.
42:34This is done.
42:43And Richard's and Booye.
42:52Suns on the road will drop to 6-7.
42:55And 14-11 overall.
42:57And the Thunder will go to 24-1 and equal the best 25-game start in the history of the NBA.
43:03As the pass ends up in the corner.
43:06And the shot there.
43:07Aaron Wiggins.
43:09Heans it.
43:116.
43:15And that's assist number 27.
43:18Overalls.
43:19Thunder 66%.
43:21From the field.
43:25To turn over.
43:30And a foul.
43:30Richards will pick it up for the Suns.
43:36Malawaj will check in.
43:37The rookie out of Duke.
43:39For the Suns.
43:44He was the number 10 pick.
43:48Malawaj.
43:49A lot like I compared him a lot to a young Embiid when he was there at Duke.
43:57A little bit more offensively ahead of the game than Embiid was when he was at Kansas.
44:03Both considered defensive threats.
44:06Nice run.
44:07Good finish right there.
44:09It's Versher Fleming who puts it in.
44:11The rookie out of St. Joseph.
44:14Mitchell.
44:15Carlson.
44:17That's a three.
44:24Against the Utah Jazz Sunday.
44:27Carlson who played at Utah.
44:2813 points and six rebounds.
44:30How about three for six from behind the three-point line.
44:33Yes, he was.
44:34That felt very comfortable playing back in Utah.
44:37Six rebounds in 24 minutes.
44:47Actually, there's a career high for him from three tying to career high.
44:53Malawaj on top.
44:54Who we able to try to finish.
44:59He's protected that teardrop.
45:01Yeah.
45:01You've got to have.
45:02In today's game, you've got to have that.
45:03Because you can't get all the way to the rim.
45:07You've got to be able to right-hand or left-hand.
45:09Mike Conley.
45:10Yeah.
45:11You know, able to do it with both.
45:15Three-point shot.
45:16Will not drop.
45:17Wiggins can't hit.
45:20And here come the Suns.
45:21Four-straight road game tonight.
45:26Last five.
45:27They won a Minnesota Monday.
45:28Lost at Houston.
45:30By 19.
45:30One of the Lakers by 17.
45:32Lost at home to Denver by 18.
45:35And lost here to the Thunder by four.
45:37I mean, what did they do?
45:39What a schedule.
45:40To get that schedule.
45:42How about those on the road?
45:43I mean, let alone if you had to play a couple of those games at home.
45:46Yes.
45:47But to be able to play, you have to play them on the road and have
45:51two of your top scorers, if not, in and out.
45:54Before tonight's game, they were two and three in those games.
45:57Okay, so that says a lot about this Phoenix Suns team.
46:00Going through that gauntlet in which they were two and three out of five games before tonight.
46:08Jordan Goodwin will take it in and look to feed and knocked away.
46:13And coming up with it, Brandon Carlson.
46:23Oklahoma City has the number one net rating.
46:25That's a three.
46:26They'll get a two.
46:27It's a two-point shot by Jang.
46:30We're at 14 Sunday at Utah.
46:33So seven and a half to go.
46:34Oklahoma City has led the entire way.
46:38And they're going to cruise to a win and take this act to Vegas.
46:44The Atlanta Falcons go to Tampa Bay to take on the Buccaneers.
46:49On Thursday night football, coverage begins at 7 Eastern.
46:53Only on Prime.
46:55Big game for the Bucs.
46:57They lost to New Orleans on Sunday.
46:59They're trying to stay buoyant.
47:01Carolina on their heels in the NFC South.
47:06Shot clock at four.
47:08Bigotaro inside.
47:11And out of bounds.
47:13Before you look at the depth of Oklahoma City.
47:16It's not just that they've got guys that can play.
47:19They've got guys that can play.
47:21And that's the difference because just because you go nine deep, ten deep sometimes,
47:25that value doesn't equate to actually that second unit
47:30and be able to win games with injuries or curve, foul trouble, whatever it may be.
47:34That's not the case, obviously, for OKC.
47:38So depth means a lot of different things for a lot of different people.
47:42But here, this depth is staggering at OKC.
47:47Booyer again takes it up and in.
47:50He's got 12.
47:51Keep in mind, this OKC team is doing this out without one of their best rim protectors,
47:57but also playmakers in Isaiah Hardenstein.
48:01He's still not in the fold in the mix yet.
48:06He's missing.
48:07It's his fifth consecutive game, Jim, but he's been an active.
48:11What a rim projector.
48:12He has played and starred and started in 19 games this season.
48:17Maloage can't hit.
48:20Thunder get it right there.
48:21He's got a right calf screen, and he's averaging a double-double, 12 and 11.
48:25But you can run so much offense through him,
48:28in particular in the middle of the court,
48:29free throw line extended because he's an excellent decision maker with the ball passer.
48:35And then he's a finisher around the basket.
48:37Mike Carlson.
48:38Speaking of which.
48:39Again, you continue to operate your offense.
48:42The beauty and the maturity about this OKC team,
48:46even with their role players here in their substitutes,
48:52is that no one is out here hunting for shots.
48:54It's Fleming, and he takes that shot over Chris Youngblood,
48:58who's in, the rookie out of Alabama.
49:02Hardenstein last year at a career-right, 11 points, 11 rebounds.
49:05He's even better this season.
49:07What a find for Sam Presti, the GM.
49:11Now there's a three, and that is right down by Youngblood.
49:14Well, I got a chance to cover Isaiah when he was with the Clippers,
49:17to watch his growth over the years before he went to the Knicks.
49:22Another stepping stone he took there,
49:24and then ultimately finding his way down here to OKC
49:29and adding so much value from an offensive perspective.
49:34And again, the numbers may not jump out to you,
49:36but it's the little things in which he operates
49:39that gives you another threat.
49:41Playmaking, more importantly,
49:43when you're on the court with SGA and also J-Dub.
49:45And together, him and Holmgren as rim protectors.
49:49Watch out.
49:51But that's kind of the thing about this Oklahoma City team.
49:55They have not played a game yet this season
49:58with their desired starting five,
50:00which would be SGA, Holmgren,
50:03Jay Williams, Dortz, and Hardenstein.
50:06The five of them have not been together this season yet.
50:11Ooh, uh-oh.
50:12Got it.
50:13You sure did.
50:13That's Carlson who's bent over.
50:21He's got the protective.
50:23Oh, man.
50:24How many times am I going to get hit with his nose?
50:26Right.
50:26It's like, I got this device on my head.
50:30And I get hit more now with it.
50:32I know it.
50:33It's like a bullseye, right?
50:35That's right.
50:36A target.
50:38Jang.
50:41From New Zealand.
50:42Three.
50:43Yes.
50:44Coming at you, man.
50:46Just keep coming at you.
50:49And you know, the hardest thing to do in this league,
50:52uh, Kevin is, when you have young talent,
50:55is trying to develop that
50:58on when you're winning championships.
51:01If only State had to deal with that,
51:03you know, and
51:04Sam Pressy has found a way.
51:07The team is, Jim, but how about that?
51:10I got a circus, you know, to figure out ways to still incorporate and develop a young talent they have on this squad.
51:1753-point lead.
51:2153-point lead.
51:22I don't know that I've ever done a 53-point difference in a game.
51:25Hey, I've been in one where I got beat by 50.
51:29That ain't fun, I can tell you that.
51:30Sam Pressy, who's, again, the Athletic just had this out.
51:34Zach Harper, who covers this league so well for the Athletic, and their great group of NBA writers,
51:41talking about the recent poll that the Athletic did on the best front offices.
51:47The runaway winner was this one.
51:49I mean, they're just incredible how
51:50they continue to build and add not just pieces, but the right piece.
51:55Oh, no, for care.
51:56How do you get the best GM
51:58when they really didn't make any move, roster moves, this year?
52:02Yeah.
52:02You know, that tells you in itself.
52:04That's the thing you need to know.
52:05Everything you need to know.
52:07That's a nice shot outside by Rashear Fleming.
52:11All right, we're going to step aside.
52:14Three and a half to go.
52:16Coming up, Spurs-Lakers on prime.
52:34Castle in the sky.
52:36Oh, that's going to be fun.
52:42Looking forward to that.
52:44Coming up next here on prime.
52:46After a visit to our studio with Taylor and the guys.
52:50Youngblood
52:51and Jay Willis.
52:55Look one way through the other.
52:57That was beautiful.
52:58He looked like Stanford or Mahomes.
53:00Look in one way, toss it at the other,
53:02and he got the flying Carson.
53:05And keep in mind, this is not nice rubbing it in
53:07or anything from OKC.
53:09They're still operating their offense.
53:11It's just that this second unit is having a lot of fun while they're doing it.
53:14So it's a historic night as they're going to equal the best start of any team
53:25through 25 games of an NBA season.
53:28They're going to go to 24-1.
53:31And they're going to be undefeated.
53:33The Thunder will 12-0 at home.
53:37The only loss came in early November by two on the road at Portland.
53:42And they are looking every bit the champion.
53:45In fact, the difference in their rating,
53:47offensively, defensively in particular,
53:50is so massive,
53:51it's almost hard to compute.
53:54And this is one of the few teams,
53:56and you hate to see it,
53:57but we've seen it early in this season
53:59where injuries could play a role
54:01in the team's progression throughout the early season.
54:04But it's not with OKC
54:05because of the depth that we talked about
54:07and quality of depth.
54:09It's a difference if you lose SGA.
54:11Don't get me wrong.
54:12We're not talking about that.
54:14But they've not been at 100% strength all season.
54:17They have not.
54:18And they've been able to absorb and still
54:21excel early in the season.
54:25About a quarter of the way through,
54:26a little bit more than a quarter of the way through.
54:29Well, I mean, but, you know,
54:31injuries, think about last year coming into the season.
54:35Pretty much everybody thought Boston was an outdoor favorite
54:38to some injuries happen.
54:39Oh, Chang!
54:43He's got 11,
54:44and he's got three threes here in the fourth.
54:47And he got a big smile on his face, too.
54:49We better believe it, man.
54:50Root for these guys.
54:52We do.
54:53Hold on.
54:54We'll get it to go.
54:56There's two.
55:04Well, look at King.
55:05It's doing the primary ball handling on this
55:07this unit that's out here.
55:10Boo-Yah.
55:10He's got a last name that just says it all.
55:16Bang.
55:17At a time we're honoring the great Stewart's night.
55:20Right?
55:20Yeah.
55:20Quite the same way to see it,
55:23but the feeling is there.
55:24I'm sure if he was here, he would have fun.
55:27Oh, he would.
55:27He would.
55:28Being able to point that out on the highlighter, too.
55:31He would.
55:32You'd know it.
55:33That would be right up his alley.
55:35There we go.
55:37Jane can't get it.
55:38Under a minute to go.
55:45Third team to start a season, 23-1.
55:48Golden State did it in 15.
55:50The next did it in 1969.
55:52Now at 24-1, this will be tied with Golden State.
55:56From 2015.
56:00And those teams walked away with what?
56:02Nice little trophy at the end of the year, too.
56:06I mean, I think last season for the Thunder, 68-14, 29-1 against the East.
56:1054 wins by double-digit margins.
56:13Tonight will be their 17th double-digit win in 25 games.
56:19Just a complete demolition.
56:28And the Thunder are going to Vegas.
56:31The semifinals of the Emirates NBA Cup.
56:35They played in the final last year against Milwaukee and lost.
56:38So they're going bad with a little bit of a chip on their shoulder.
56:41And as defending NBA champions.
56:44And they'll play either the Spurs or the Lakers.
56:47We'll find out in a matter of moments here on Prime.
56:52What that semifinal in the West will look like.
56:57Two great young coaches.
56:59Mark Dagnote, as good as it gets.
57:02One of the best head coaches and one of the best GMs.
57:05And clearly the number one organization in pro basketball.
57:13Doing things the right way.
57:15And I know it was a tough stretch back in the day when OKC was trying to figure this thing out.
57:19Connecting all the draft picks and young players and taking the hits.
57:22But Sam Presti has proven that not only just the talent on the court.
57:29But the personalities matter as much.
57:32And as a result, you've got a team that has been locked, loaded, coordinated together.
57:38And not satisfied, which is the most important part.
57:42This was the largest margin of victory in the NBA this season.
57:4816th consecutive win for the Oklahoma City Thunder.
57:54And that is a franchise record.
57:56They are 12-0 at home.
57:58And over to Allie Clifton.
58:00Thanks so much, Kevin.
58:01Shea, you guys are the number one defense in the NBA for a reason.
58:04Yet tonight, it felt like you guys jumped yet another level.
58:08Why does this team continue to find ways to elevate on that end of the floor?
58:13We hold ourselves to a high standard.
58:16Most importantly, it's about us getting better.
58:18No matter where we're at today, we want to be better for tomorrow.
58:21And then there was a little bit of money on the line.
58:23So we woke up on the right side of the bed this morning.
58:26We're going to get to that in a moment.
58:27But multiple guys tonight in double figures.
58:29You guys had 22 threes combined as a team that had this place rocking.
58:33What was so special about the offense?
58:35Yeah, we just moved the ball really well.
58:37Played together.
58:38Played with purpose.
58:39Was very decisive on offense.
58:41Try to play through our comfort zone.
58:43And when we do that, we're a pretty good offense.
58:45Vegas, money on the line indeed.
58:47You guys punch your ticket yet again.
58:48How do you rewrite the script from a season ago?
58:51Yeah, we should be in a good position.
58:54We've gotten a lot better since last year.
58:56We'll see how it goes.
58:57We'll go out there and try to get two Ws.
58:58Shea, I appreciate the time.
59:00Appreciate it.
59:00Thank you.
59:01Coming back over to you.
59:01He is the scoring champion.
59:03He is three-time All-NBA first team, including last year.
59:07The reigning MVP, the Finals MVP.
59:10He is as good as it gets in this league.
59:14Shea Gilgis Alexander.
59:17So the Thunder will now wait and see who they'll face in Vegas on Saturday.
59:23Either the Spurs or the Los Angeles Lakers.
59:26That'll do it from Oklahoma City.
59:30Final score, Thunder, 138-89 over the Suns for Jim Jackson.
59:37Allie Clifton, Kevin Harlan saying happy holidays.
59:40And reminding you, the Lakers will take on the Spurs in the last Emirates NBA Cup quarterfinal.
59:46But first, we'll send it back to Taylor Rooks and the team in the studio right after this.
59:52This is the NBA on Prime.
59:54We'll be back.
59:55We'll be back.
59:57Go!
59:58Yeah.
59:58We'll be back.
00:01We'll be back.
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