Solely 4 NBA groups have gained extra regular-season video games in a season than the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder.
However that stellar achievement will probably be largely forgotten if the Thunder aren’t a part of the NBA Finals.
Three of the groups that gained extra video games than the Thunder captured the NBA title — the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls (72-10), the 1996-97 Bulls (69-13) and the 1971-72 Los Angeles Lakers (69-13).
The staff that gained probably the most video games in NBA historical past — the 2015-16 Golden State Warriors (73-9) — has that stain on the ledger that the Thunder need to keep away from. The Warriors held a 3-1 lead within the NBA Finals earlier than the Cleveland Cavaliers gained the following three video games.
That is simply Oklahoma Metropolis’s second foray into the playoffs with its present proficient core, so maybe it gained’t win all of it this season.
That’s as a result of the Cleveland Cavaliers or Boston Celtics might need one thing to say about it. These are the one groups from the Japanese Convention with a real likelihood of reaching the Finals.
Within the Western Convention, the Thunder are substantial favorites, with solely the Minnesota Timberwolves having any actual shot of derailing them.
MVP finalist Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and his teammates have managed the convention all season.
Oklahoma Metropolis completed 16 video games forward of the second-place Houston Rockets, who’re probably nonetheless a season away regardless of their nice younger expertise and top-notch coach Ime Udoka.
The Thunder swept the Memphis Grizzlies in 4 video games within the first spherical, starting with a convincing 51-point victory within the opener.
Oklahoma Metropolis completed off the sweep on Saturday and will probably be well-rested for a second-round matchup in opposition to both the Denver Nuggets or the Los Angeles Clippers. The Nuggets lead that sequence 3-2 coming into Thursday’s street recreation.
Might both the Nuggets or Clippers give the Thunder a run within the subsequent spherical?
This Denver staff isn’t the one which gained all of it two seasons in the past. Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray would wish to have a ton of huge video games.
As for the Clippers, Kawhi Leonard has been in “Playoff Kawhi” mode, however James Harden disappeared the previous two video games. Los Angeles isn’t beating Oklahoma Metropolis if it wants additional manufacturing from bench gamers — let’s say that.
The Rockets and Warriors are tied at three video games apiece of their sequence. The truth that a Golden State staff with Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler and Draymond Inexperienced wants a Sport 7 to get previous Houston means that group wouldn’t pose a severe menace to Oklahoma Metropolis within the convention finals.
Minnesota completed the season robust after which dispatched the Los Angeles Lakers in 5 video games. The Timberwolves will face both the Rockets or Warriors within the second spherical.
Gilgeous-Alexander led the NBA with a 32.7 scoring common whereas guiding Oklahoma Metropolis. He improved his outdoors taking pictures — his 163 3-pointers are effectively above his earlier excessive of 95.
He’s additionally one of many league’s finest drivers and made 601 free throws — main the NBA in that class for the third straight season.
What he hasn’t achieved is lead a staff deep into the postseason. Final season, Oklahoma Metropolis misplaced to the Dallas Mavericks in six video games within the second spherical. Luka Doncic then carried Dallas to the NBA Finals.
However SGA has a possibility this season. The Thunder ranked fourth in scoring at 120.5 factors per recreation and third in protection, permitting 107.6 per recreation.
Fellow All-Star Jalen Williams (21.6 ppg, 124 3s) is a stellar all-around participant, whereas Chet Holmgren (15.0 factors, 8.0 rebounds, 2.2 blocks) and Isaiah Hartenstein (11.2 ppg, 10.7 rpg) are forces within the center.
Luguentz Dort (10.1 ppg, 170 3s) and backups Isaiah Joe (10.2, 192 3s) and Aaron Wiggins (12.0, 130 3s) are all big-time outdoors shooters. Cason Wallace (8.4 ppg) and Alex Caruso (7.1) are additionally stable members of the Thunder’s nine-player rotation.
Oklahoma Metropolis has star energy and depth. Now’s the time for the Thunder to begin making common appearances within the convention finals.
There is no such thing as a staff within the West that may beat the Thunder 4 occasions in a sequence.
None.
