Shai Gilgeous-Alexander – Heartland Sports

Oklahoma City Thunder | Round 1, Game 2: New Orleans Pelicans

Despite being a heavy favorite, the Oklahoma City Thunder just barely gutted out a tough 94-92 win in Game 1 against the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday. The energy was electric at the Paycom Center, and perhaps the nervousness of the playoffs affected the youth of the Thunder, but when it all came down to it, the right guys made the right plays, including Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scoring the go-ahead basket with 32.1 seconds to go. Now OKC needs to maintain home court advantage with another win in Game 2.

Thunder Against the Spread | Expect a Better Showing from OKC in Game 2

Zachary LowApril 24, 2024 1 Comment Brandon Ingram Chet Holmgren CJ McCollum Jalen Williams Luguentz Dort New Orleans Pelicans Oklahoma City Thunder Oklahoma Sooners Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Zion Williamson

Game 1 felt like the best chance for the Pelicans to steal a game in OKC. The Thunder shot well below their average, and while New Orleans did as well, it was far more surprising from OKC because of how open many of the looks were. Chalk it up to inexperience and initial playoff jitters because I fully expect the Thunder to bounce back with a more complete showing in Game 2. The Pelicans will also likely shoot a better percentage than they did in Game 1, but I’m still feeling good about a bounceback performance from OKC.

Oklahoma City Thunder | Round 1, Game 1: New Orleans Pelicans

Zachary LowApril 21, 2024 No Comments Brandon Ingram Chet Holmgren CJ McCollum Jalen Williams Luguentz Dort New Orleans Pelicans Oklahoma City Thunder Oklahoma Sooners Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Zion Williamson

After a few short years of no postseason action, the Oklahoma City Thunder make their return to the NBA Playoffs in a major way as the top-seeded team in a stacked Western Conference. At 57-25, the Thunder had their best season since 2014, and expectations are as high as they have been in a long time. The Thunder are heavy favorites in the opening round as they prepare to take on the New Orleans Pelicans.

Thunder Against the Spread | OKC Favored Heavy in Game 1 with NOLA Missing Zion

Zachary LowApril 21, 2024 No Comments Chet Holmgren CJ McCollum Jalen Williams New Orleans Pelicans Oklahoma City Thunder Oklahoma Sooners Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Zion Williamson

The Pelicans are without Zion Williamson for the foreseeable future, and without him, there’s not really a guy on the team that can just go get a bucket at any time. CJ McCollum can pop off in bursts, particularly because of his three-point shooting ability, but he hasn’t played well lately, and OKC is so well-rounded defensively that it’s going to take a lot from New Orleans to make this a game and really even a series. OKC is a heavy favorite not just in Game 1 but in the series as a whole, and I think the Thunder make a statement tonight with a double-digit victory.

Oklahoma City Thunder | Looking Back at Quotes from the NBCA’s Coach of the Year Mark Daigneault

Zachary LowApril 15, 2024 No Comments Mark Daigneault Oklahoma City Thunder Oklahoma Sooners Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault was announced as the NBA Coaches Association NBA Coach of the Year on Monday. The award is voted upon by the league’s 30 head coaches, and while he wasn’t the only coach to receive votes, it’s safe to say he was clearly deserving of the award of turning the Thunder into the youngest team in NBA history to secure a 1 seed just a year after losing in the second play-in game.

Oklahoma City Thunder | Game #82 Preview: Dallas Mavericks

Zachary LowApril 14, 2024 No Comments Chet Holmgren Dallas Mavericks Jalen Williams Kyrie Irving Luka Doncic Oklahoma City Thunder Oklahoma Sooners Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

The Oklahoma City Thunder are on the brink of clinching the number one seed in the West, and all they have to do is win a third consecutive game against a depleted roster. Last Wednesday, OKC manhandled the Spurs, who were missing Victory Wembanyama among several other key players, and then on Friday they dominated the Milwaukee Bucks, who were missing Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard. In the regular season finale today, the Thunder host the Dallas Mavericks, who are without Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving, and a good chunk of the roster.

Thunder Against the Spread | Healthy OKC Massive Favorite Over Shorthanded Mavs

Zachary LowApril 14, 2024 1 Comment Chet Holmgren Dallas Mavericks Jalen Williams Kyrie Irving Luka Doncic Oklahoma City Thunder Oklahoma Sooners Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

For the last two games, OKC has been a heavy favorite against a team missing key guys. Both times I expected the Thunder to get up early, then cool off, allowing the opponent to cover the spread. Both times I was gone. I’m not falling for it again. The Thunder are completely healthy and have a chance to get the #1 seed, while Dallas is locked in at 5th in the West. As a result, the Mavs are resting just about everybody, so I don’t their end of bench guys are going to be able to keep this one even relatively close. I’m taking OKC to close out the regular season strong by covering this giant spread.

Oklahoma City Thunder | Game #81 Preview: Milwaukee Bucks

Zachary LowApril 12, 2024 No Comments Chet Holmgren Damian Lillard Giannis Antetokounmpo Jalen Williams Khris Middleton Milwaukee Bucks Oklahoma City Thunder Oklahoma Sooners San Antonio Spurs Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

With just two games left in the regular season, OKC has confirmed home court advantage in the first round of the playoffs. Currently at third in the West, there is still a possibility that they could move up to second, which would give them home court in the second round, should they make it that far, and it all starts with a matchup tonight with the Milwaukee Bucks.

Thunder Against the Spread | OKC a Massive Favorite with Bucks Missing Key Players

Zachary LowApril 12, 2024 1 Comment Chet Holmgren Damian Lillard Giannis Antetokounmpo Jalen Williams Milwaukee Bucks Oklahoma City Thunder Oklahoma Sooners Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

I didn’t think the Thunder would cover against a depleted San Antonio squad on Wednesday, and I was about as wrong as a person could be. The Bucks are going to miss Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard at the least, and probably more, but they still have better pieces than the Spurs have by a lot. I do think OKC gets up by a lot early, but in looking to rest starters as much as possible, Milwaukee might be able to keep it close late, just barely covering the giant spread.

Oklahoma City Thunder | Game #80 Preview: San Antonio Spurs

Zachary LowApril 10, 2024 No Comments Chet Holmgren Jalen Williams Oklahoma City Thunder Oklahoma Sooners San Antonio Spurs Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Victor Wembanyama

The Oklahoma City Thunder gave fans quite a show on Tuesday night as they delivered a 20-point comeback win against the Sacramento Kings to kickoff the 4-game home stand to finish off the regular season. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander made his return to action with 40 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists, and Jalen Williams also returned from a sprained ankle to 11 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists. The Thunder continue their home stand Wednesday night as they host the San Antonio Spurs in a second game of a back-to-back for both teams.