'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The Oklahoma City Thunder came away with an easy win over the Chicago Bulls 121-98. The Thunder were on their game right from the beginning and never allowed the Bulls to get back in the game.
The Chicago Bulls had earlier won their first meeting with the Thunder in a dramatic encounter where Lauri Markkanen hit the game-winner in the dying seconds of the match.
This match was much more straightforward with the Thunder showing why they are one of the top teams in the league this season.
The Thunder took a 20-point lead into the halftime and never looked back. They were again led by Paul George who is in scorching form this season. Russell Westbrook recorded another triple-double.
With the win, the Thunder are lying at the No. 3 position in the West with a 19-10 record. This looks like a great turnaround for a team that was comprehensively knocked out in the first round of the playoffs last season. The Bulls are the third worst team in the NBA with a 7-24 record.
Here are the top 3 takeaways from the match:
#3 Late first-half domination from Paul George
Paul George has been the best player for Thunder this season. He continued his merry run in this match too.
With five minutes left in the first half, George got hot from the field. He scored 16 of his 24 points in those five minutes and completely took the game away from the Bulls. The Bulls were outscored 23-7 during those minutes.
George became a bit passive in the second half but the Thunder already had full control of the game by that time.
He is averaging 25 PPG for Thunder and the Thunder will be heavily relying on his production for competing in the Western Conference.
#2 Lack of effort from the Bulls
The Chicago Bulls have been one of the worst teams in the NBA this season. They are not able to execute plenty of basics properly and that is hurting their chances of winning matches.
The Bulls did not take care of the ball properly and ended the game with 23 turnovers which created several easy chances for the Thunder.
The Bulls also did not have anyone doing the bulk of scoring for the team in the absence of Zach Lavine, who is having a break out year.
Lauri Markkanen scored the team high 16 points in the game. Bobby Portis also contributed 16 points for the match.
The Bulls did not have a significant contribution from others. They were totally outplayed in the match and need to pull up their socks if they want to go back to winning ways.
#1 Good all-round display from the Thunder
The Thunder had good contributions from most of their players to cap off a good day. Russell Westbrook again had a triple-double with his stats line reading 13 points, 16 rebounds and 11 assists. He was also good on the defensive end coming up with 5 steals. Paul George had 24 points.
Steven Adams is having a very dominant season for the Thunder. He has become one of the most feared centers in the league and is one of the top reasons for the great season that his team is having. He scored 19 points in the game and was very intimidating inside the paint.
Dennis Schroder had 18 points off the bench on 6-10 shooting from the floor. He is one of the top contenders for the sixth man of the year award because of his consistent great displays this season.
The Thunder next face Sacramento Kings who have already beaten them twice.
