3 talking points as the Oklahoma City Thunder walk past the Sacramento Kings 132-113

In a Western Conference match, the Oklahoma City Thunder went head-to-head against the Sacramento Kings to improve their win streak to 3. They have been playing some of their best basketball this year and their best players also look in top form.

The match-up between Russell Westbrook and De’Aaron Fox was a very highly touted one and this encounter was worth it. Both of them had a good game. While Westbrook had a triple-double, Fox also notched up a double-double of points and assists.

Fox has been averaging 18.2 points throughout the season with 48 percent efficiency from the field and 40 percent from behind the arc. While Westbrook has had a quiet year with just 21 points per game on just 43 percent shooting.

With all that in mind, let’s have a look at top 3 talking points

#3. Can any team stop Paul George?

Paul George passing the ball

As we can see Paul George is having a career-defining year. Since his horrific injury with his national team, we have never seen him play this good. And he’s the number one reason behind the Thunder’s success this year.

Today also he took the team on his back and delivered for them. He racked in 43 points, 12 rebounds, and seven assists on 15-27 shooting. He was all over the floor for the Thunder and inspired other teammates as well to show up and get an easy victory.

When George made the decision to stay with the Thunder, everyone was sceptical that he might be making a mistake, assuming he doesn’t gel well with Westbrook and all that.

But he’s proving all those doubters wrong with amazing numbers of 25.5 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2.1 steals with a shooting efficiency of 45 percent from the field and 38.2 percent from behind the arc. Those are amazing numbers and it will be interesting to see how far can he take the Thunder.

#2. An Onslaught from the Oklahoma City starters

Oklahoma City Thunder v Sacramento Kings

All the starters from Oklahoma City scored in double figures and made sure that they make an easy work of the Sacramento Kings. They came in strong and they ended up stronger with a statement victory over the Kings. Now they are seated firmly at second in the Western Conference.

Throughout the game they had a firm grasp of everything happening in it and their top 3 made sure that they don’t mess anything up. On the other hand, the Sacramento starters also had double-digit scoring numbers but they couldn’t match up to the might of the George, Westbrook and Steven Adams trio.

They shot very efficiently and moved the ball well. Even though this has not been a very positive aspect for the Thunder this year, but hopefully this match is an indication of better things to come for them.

#1. Total domination on the boards

Steven Adams against the Sacramento Kings

The Thunder racked up a season-high 66 rebounds in what was a total annihilation on the boards by them. And Adams was at the centre of it all. He made the Kings pay their bad box-out and took advantage of his physicality.

Adams alone had 23 of the Thunder’s 66 rebounds and had a 20-20 game to his name. He made sure that he made the Kings pay for their silly mistakes which in turn was the biggest difference maker in the Thunder’s win.

Other players like Westbrook also racked in 11 rebounds, while Paul George also joined the party with 12 of his own. They were especially very dominant on the second chance points as well, and converted it at a high rate. OKC is the best team regarding offensive rebounds per game in the entire NBA.

This game was just a little sample of how good has the thunder been throughout the season in the rebounds category. They are ranked second in total rebounds per game and this stat has been a major reason for their success this season.

In their next match, the Thunder will face the Jazz while the Kings host the Grizzlies in hopes of getting back to winning ways.