Three Takeaways from Oklahoma City’s Road Victory over Toronto

The Oklahoma City Thunder were able to bring themselves even closer to the 50-win mark on Friday evening in Toronto, defeating the Raptors 123-103 behind a combined 81 points from the team’s starting unit. 

Each starter saw themselves in double digits in the scoring column, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leading them all with 23 points, while Jalen Williams followed with 20. 

Oklahoma City’s 37 points off turnovers and 24 in transition were the main drivers of their ability to steer the ship correctly after a first-quarter deficit, and also managed 13 offensive rebounds to win the rebounding battle – giving the Thunder nearly 20 more shots and four more free throws than the Raptors.

Here, we’ll take a look at three takeaways from Friday evening’s contest:

Chet’s Elevated Rebounding Presence in March

Coming into his rookie season, it was known he’d certainly make an impact on Oklahoma City’s rebounding situation – something the team would eventually struggle with this season.

As a team, the Thunder place in the bottom five in rebounds per game and rebounding percentage into March. In their last five games, Oklahoma City has improved on that immensely, rising to the top half of the league in rebounds per game while winning the battle on the boards in three of those five outings.

A large part of that can be attributed to Holmgren. Notching 10 boards in the win over Toronto, he’s averaging the most rebounds he’s seen this season in March with 9.5 through 10 games – which the Thunder have won eight of. 

This jump in tenacity on the boards will prove essential heading into the postseason.

A Mild Shai Game Makes Room for Others

It hasn’t happened often this year, but a fairly tame Shai Gilgeous-Alexander game isn’t always something to fret about. He’s a superstar, yes, maybe MVP, even, but Gilgeous-Alexander will suffer from a normal night just like any superstar.

And his normal nights aren’t really normal. 23 points on 9-of-20 from the field is by no means considered his best outing, but it’s also not the end all be all for the Thunder in terms of success.

With the rest of the starting five picking up the slack greatly, and 24 combined points from Kenrich Williams and Cason Wallace, the depth and youth this team holds will almost always be a problem for the opposition – especially when they think they have Gilgeous-Alexander somewhat contained.

Josh Giddey Recoups, Continues a Strong March

Josh Giddey’s month of May has shut down a lot of naysayers who’d wished him to be sent off elsewhere or taken out of the starting lineup.

After a poor first few months of his third-year campaign, Giddey’s started to finally pick up the slack and build off of what he’s experienced this season. With a slew of new talent behind him, and with defenses centralizing on Gilgeous-Alexander, Williams and Holmgren, it has been vital for him to be able to aggressively play off the ball and fill in gaps as a cutter within the flow of the offense.

He’s been able to do that in March thus far, and on Friday, where he put up 10 points on 66.7% shooting and five assists after a rough outing versus Utah on Wednesday where he shot just 2-for-9 from the field. 

Giddey’s beginning to find his true flow within the offense, and he’ll need to maintain it down the home stretch.

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