If only this game was on national TV.
In their most impressive road win of the season, the Oklahoma City Thunder blew out the Philadelphia 76ers, 133-114.
To provide context, the Sixers were 13-3 in their last 16 games and had the third-best net rating at 8.8 during that stretch. In their last game, the Sixers scored 147 points in a blowout win against the Detroit Pistons. For the season, the Sixers ranked third in defensive rating at 110.2. Heading into this game, the Sixers had a clean bill of health, not listing any injuries on their injury report.
And for the Thunder to dominate in the fashion they did on Thursday? Wow.
The win sent a message to the rest of the league that the Thunder are no longer to be taken lightly as they are now one game back from the 10th seed.
This should’ve been a Sixers win. Instead, the Thunder continue to pull surprises out of their hats. They enjoyed an offensive explosion one game after struggling to score.
Despite continuing to be without their entire frontcourt, the Thunder outscored the Sixers inside the paint, 52-44. The Thunder also enjoyed a hot shooting game, going 14-of-32 (43.8%) from 3. The Thunder also had a busy night from the charity stripe. They shot 31-of-33 (93.9%) from the free-throw line. A significant improvement from their last game.
Despite the lopsided affair, this game did have its intriguing moments.
Due to a 13-0 Sixers’ blitzing run to start the third quarter, the Thunder’s lead evaporated, and it felt like momentum was shifting toward the home team.
After those opening three minutes, the Thunder recollected their composure and finished the last nine minutes of the third quarter on a strong note.
The Thunder, who have the best third-quarter net rating in the league at 13.9, outscored the Sixers, 32-9, to finish the third quarter.
Most young team would’ve fold under those circumstances. But the Thunder continue to show they have nerves made out of the same material used to craft the Liberty Bell.
For the Sixers, Joel Embiid and James Harden headlined the loss. Embiid finished with 30 points and 10 rebounds. Harden finished 24 points and 15 assists.
The Thunder also went toe-to-toe against the Sixers in the fourth quarter and won the quarter by three points. They did an excellent job stomping out any hopes of a Sixers comeback win.
Alas, the Thunder will get to enjoy this win for less than a day. They play the second night of a road back-to-back against the Chicago Bulls on Friday, Jan. 13.
Let’s take a look at Thunder player grades.