Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder roll past Blazers to improve to 5-0

By the third steal, the Moda Center should’ve cued the Undertaker’s bell.

Lu Dort, a rugged defender who placed his bid as the most prominent presence in the Thunder’s 137-114 cage match of a win against the Trail Blazers on Friday night in Portland, put that much fear in Portland’s ball handlers and wings — even his big menu

Ask DeAndre Ayton.

Midway through the third quarter, with the Blazers’ momentum escaping, Dort left his feet as Ayton rose up with what seemed like an easy inside basket. Dort jumped onto and hung on the ball, nearly doing a chin-up with Ayton’s reach. It ended in a jump ball, a jarring scene that punctuated a jaw-dropping sequence from Dort.

“Lu Dort type of things,” Aaron Wiggins said.

With center Chet Holmgren in foul trouble, and the Blazers within reach after a 44-point second quarter, coach Mark Daigneault resorted to a small lineup. With 5:52 to play in the third, the Thunder led by just two points. Then Dort reminded OKC of who it’s been.

Forceful swipes, strips of players of all sizes, swallowing possessions before they even truly began. Friday’s game was physical, a product Vince Macmahon would’ve once salivated over, and Dort was the enabler.

Portland ended the first half with just four turnovers — an anomaly with this Thunder team — and a confidence only a 12-pack of beer could provide. It finished the third quarter with 12 turnovers inside the period.

By then, the Thunder had ripped away a 21-point lead.

Dort stripped life from a building that’d been teeming with it just minutes before the guard’s strangle job.

Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams with signature performances

For four games, the Thunder offense had been waiting to take shape. To be molded by the masterful hands that made it a top-unit unit a year ago. Or at least not to be overshadowed by its defense, perhaps inevitable with such terrifying defenders.

More than anything, OKC could’ve used its All-Star caliber scorers. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, with his consistent output, slithery drives and a dribble cadence only he can move to. Jalen Williams, with his cartoonish wingspan and knack for tough shots.

With each attempting to expand their games, neither has exactly been a model of consistency through OKC’s start. Not to Gilgeous-Alexander’s standards, at least. But Friday gave them room to find their way back.

SGA finished with a game-high 30 points (12 for 18), adding seven rebounds and six assists.

He made just 1 of his 6 3-point attempts, but after leading with a couple signature drives to start the game, Gilgeous-Alexander balanced the best parts of his arsenal while continuing to test his new volume.

Williams’ volume, even in its increase, hasn’t necessarily stood out of place. And on Friday, the basketball gods rewarded him.

The third-year forward drilled 4 of his 6 3s, several off the dribble. He poured in 22 points on 8-for-12 shooting, an efficient glimpse into what Williams can be most nights, especially dire with Holmgren’s foul trouble.

If it’s up to the Thunder, it won’t be left behind in the excessive 3-point revolution.

That’s not just granting Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams neon lights from deep. On Friday, the Thunder chucked — and made — an amount of 3s inconsistent with the season.

OKC made 19 of its 49 3-point attempts (38.8%) Friday, a season-high in attempts. The second most 3s the Thunder shot in any game last season? 49.

On Friday, the Thunder got a little bit of it from everyone. Isaiah Joe, the most well-regarded shooter on the roster, went 3 for 8. Cason Wallace and Aaron Wiggins each went 3 for 5 from deep.

Even rookie Ajay Mitchell got with the program, shooting 2 for 3 out there. Nine OKC players made a 3.

The Thunder next-highest total through these first five games is 41. But perhaps Friday, eclipsing so much of its single-game volume from a season ago, will portend what’s to come this season.

What time is Thunder vs. Trail Blazers

Date: Friday, Nov. 1
Time: 9pm CT
Where: Fashion Center in Portland

TV: FanDuel Sports Network
How to watch online: Fubo (free trial)
Radio: WWLS 98.1FM

Thunder vs. Trail Blazers odds

Odds courtesy of via BetMGM as of Friday, Nov. 1

Odds: Thunder by 11.5

Over/under: 221.5

Moneyline: OKC-650 | Portland +450

OKC Thunder roster

Alex Caruso, P.G.
Ousmane Dieng, SF
Luguentz Dort, SG
Alex Ducas, SG *
Adam Flagler, P.G.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, SG
Isaiah Hartenstein, C
Chet Holmgren, P.F.
Isaiah Joe, S.G.
Dillon Jones
Ajay Mitchell, SG *
Alex Reese, P.F.
Nikola Topić, PG
Cason Wallace, S.G.
Aaron Wiggins, S.G.
Jalen Williams, S.G.
Jaylin Williams, P.F.
Kenrich Williams, P.F.

*-two-way contract

OKC Thunder schedule

Oct. 24: Thunder 102, Nuggets 87

Oct. 26: Thunder 114, Bulls 95

Oct. 27: Thunder 128, Hawks 106

Oct. 30: Thunder 105, Spurs 93

Nov. 1: at Portland, 9 p.m.

Nov. 2: at LA Clippers, 9:30 p.m.

Nov. 4: Orlando, 8:15 p.m.

Nov. 6: at Denver, 8 p.m.

Thunder vs. Trail Blazers highlights

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