LAS VEGAS — During the third quarter of the riveting semifinal match in the NBA Cup between Oklahoma City and Houston on Saturday night, Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander made a significant jump shot in the lane. This moment was quickly followed by a time-out, which he eagerly welcomed.
Feeling the exertion from the game, he moved to midcourt, crouched down, and took several deep breaths to regain his composure. The intensity of the game had been evident, especially considering the defensive prowess that both the Rockets and Thunder have demonstrated throughout the season, making such a match-up quite expected.
Ultimately, the Thunder prevailed with a score of 111-96 in a game that saw both teams struggle offensively, managing to shoot only 41% combined. This victory not only afforded Oklahoma City a two-day respite to recuperate but also set them up for a crucial face-off against Milwaukee on Tuesday night. Winning that game carries a financial incentive of over $300,000 for each player involved.
“Defense plays a key role in our success,” remarked Thunder coach Mark Daigneault, highlighting his team’s impeccable ability to hold opponents to 41% shooting or worse on a league-leading eleven occasions this season, resulting in an undefeated record in those games. “It keeps you in the game,” he noted.
The nature of the Rockets-Thunder contest was striking, resembling elements from various sports like football, rugby, and even wrestling. This gritty style of play is served well by their defensive-centric approaches. Both squads led the league in field-goal percentage defense — Oklahoma City holding opponents to 42.7% and Houston at 43.4%. When it came to scoring defense, the Thunder were ranked second with 103.8 points allowed per game, closely trailing Orlando, while the Rockets sat in third at 105.9. Oklahoma City took sole possession of the top defensive spot after holding Houston to just 96 points.
The Rockets shot a mere 36.5% from the floor, marking their second-lowest performance of the season. Houston’s success is starkly linked to their shooting efficiency, as they maintained a strong record of 17-4 when shooting over 41%, but are yet to secure any wins at 0-5 when falling below that threshold.
“It sometimes comes down to making shots,” said Rockets coach Ime Udoka. “In the first half, our defense was strong enough. However, when shots aren’t falling, it puts an enormous strain on the defense.”
Even though scoring has dipped slightly across the league this season—by about a point per game compared to last year—it still represents an era of dynamic offense. For instance, the Celtics managed to score 51 points in a single quarter earlier this season.
Saturday’s game did not align with that trend; at halftime the score stood at 42-41 in favor of the Rockets. Neither squad crossed the 50-point threshold until Dillon Brooks from Houston connected on a three-pointer that extended their lead to 51-45 early in the third quarter.
Brooks is recognized as one of the league’s most tenacious defenders, while Gilgeous-Alexander is hailed for his scoring ability. Having shared the court as teammates for Canada’s national team, their individual battles during the game were particularly compelling.
“It’s exciting and challenging, it enhances your game,” Gilgeous-Alexander shared. “This league is all about going head-to-head against the best, and he definitely represents that on the defensive front. I consider myself a formidable offensive player, and facing him is a good metric for my skills. I think I managed quite well.”
In fact, he did indeed, finishing the game with 32 points, one of five players this season to surpass that mark against the Rockets. Oklahoma City managed an impressive 70 points during the second half, enabling them to widen their lead.
“We understood that if we kept putting up stops, we would secure our chances,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “And we certainly did.”
