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On April 25, the NBA regular season entered the final stage of the playoffs, and the Oklahoma City Thunder, a powerhouse in the West, hosted the Minnesota Timberwolves. It was the second game in a best-of-four series between the two teams this season.
The Thunder relied on the highlights of the team's young players Alexander and Holmgren to finally win 132-102 and take a 2-0 lead.
The match was a solo show for rookie guard Shay Kyrgyz-Alexander. He finished with 33 points, three rebounds and five assists, shooting 7-of-9 from three-point range and shooting 78 percent from three-point range. Alexander scored 15 points in the first quarter to help set the foundation for the win.
It was also the seventh time this season that he scored 30+ points in a single game. What's even more gratifying is that Alexander, who is still only 21 years old, has gradually become the team's leading scorer, alongside Seabrook. This is undoubtedly the hope for the future of the Thunder.
Another rookie center, Jared Holmgren, also had a good performance, scoring 26 points and seven rebounds. The two teamed up to help the Thunder extend the margin to more than 20 points in the first half.
Holmgren has improved significantly this season, averaging around 13 points per game. The center position has always been a weakness for the Thunder, and Holmgren's rise has brought more options to the team's frontcourt rotation.
The other main forces of the Thunder also have stable output. Jalen Williams played 33 minutes and scored 21 points on 9-of-16 shooting; Keady started the game and played 33 minutes, finishing with 13 points and six rebounds.
Wayne Elligen and Bennis Schroedel also contributed 10 and 9 points, respectively. It can be said that the whole Thunder team has entered the state and played well in their respective duties.
In contrast, Wolves' performance has been disappointing. They had a cold three-point shooting performance in the first quarter, shooting just 1-of-8 from the team, causing the offensive rhythm to be completely disrupted. Patrick Beverley was the team's leading scorer this season, but just scored 12 points in the game.
Although Karl-Anthony Towns scored 24 points, he shot 0-of-2 from three-point range, and his outside play continued to be sluggish. Rudy Gobert, a power forward who has been traded this season, scored just four points in the game.
The Wolves have had a poor season and are currently 14th in the West, missing out on the playoffs. The Thunder are firmly in 6th place in points, and the playoff qualification has been basically determined. These two teams have a clear difference in strength, and the Thunder have been in control from the beginning in this game.
Wolves' interior defence was unprecedentedly loose, leaving Alexander and Holmgren in a no-man's land. The result of the game was also expected, and the Thunder won to ensure a 2-0 lead in the matchup.
Looking ahead to the next game, the Thunder have a good chance of completing a four-game sweep and achieving a four-game winning streak in the series. Wolves are powerless to resist, and the off-season has arrived early. And the Thunder need to stay in good shape and build confidence for the playoffs.
The team has made the right tactical adjustments, using rookies as key starters, which will allow them to play a greater role in the playoffs.
Alexander and Holmgren are growing at an astonishing rate. They have become the backbone of the team's attack. In the absence of the Seabrook star, the contributions of other players ensured that the team remained consistent. These are all positive signs for the Thunder to move towards a new era and return to the top of the list.
There are still some problems in the team that need to be improved. Holmgren's individual ability is outstanding, but he needs to improve his ability to organize the attack;
Jalen Williams' form fluctuated greatly, affecting the team's tempo control; Center Curry has been inconsistent and can't compete with Adams, the number one star on the inside. This will require the head coach to make targeted adjustments in the final stages of the regular season.
The Thunder are now in sixth place in the West, with just one win off the Grizzlies in third place. The Heat and Celtics could both be overtaken, with obvious defensive weaknesses. This gives the Thunder a chance to fight for a higher ranking.
A higher ranking would allow them to avoid the Suns in the first round of the playoffs, which would be a major help in making the cut.
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