OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — The young Oklahoma City Thunder finally are drawing national attention with a high-scoring offense led by MVP finalist Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
A closer look shows the defense is just as responsible for the Thunder claiming the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference playoffs and sweeping the New Orleans Pelicans in the first round. Though best known for an up-tempo style that helped them rank third in the league in scoring during the regular season, Chet Holmgren, Gilgeous-Alexander and Lu Dort led an Oklahoma City team that finished fourth in the league in defensive rating and third in opponent field goal percentage.
The Thunder defense was even better in the first round, holding the Pelicans to 92 points or fewer in all four games. The Thunder will need more of the same if they are to beat the Dallas Mavericks or the Los Angeles Clippers in the Western Conference semifinals starting next Tuesday in Oklahoma City.
Harper, Clemens lift Phillies to 4
A nation of explorers? Poll reveals that nearly a quarter of Brits have never even visited SCOTLAND
Was the Budget too little, too late
Bizarre moment RADAR picks up a structure above 'UFO hotbed' during rocket experiment
the remote Canadian Island known as MARS on earth! It is so otherworldly, NASA uses it for research
Dividend hero SAINT's manager on the best shares for income and growth
Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi leaving the club after United game
DMV experienced nationwide outage for nearly 3 hours
Giuliani served indictment papers while leaving 80th birthday
Go on holiday for just £6.40 with the Mail experts' guide to the best bargain trips