For the second time in just three days, the Oklahoma City Thunder are squaring off against the New Orleans Pelicans.
OKC closed out the game Friday on a 9-2 run. Over the final 5:11 of game-time, the Thunder blocked two of the Pelicans shots and allowed New Orleans to make only one of their final nine shots.
It’s going to take another solid defensive effort on Sunday, especially against Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram.
Billy Donovan said what makes Ingram such a tough matchup is his ability to “play over people.”
“He’s a tough guy because he is so long. I thought he got to the front of the rim a little too easy against us. We’ve got to do a better job there coming with help when it’s necessary. But he was very, very aggressive.”
Looking for a collective defensive effort in this afternoon's rematch.
✍️ // @OUMedicine Game Day Report https://t.co/FPtADiu0le pic.twitter.com/fuPcrr5CnP
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) December 1, 2019
Ingram scored a game-high 26 points in Oklahoma City’s 109-104 win over the Pelicans Friday night, finishing 11-of-17 from the floor.
As a team, New Orleans shot 44.8% from the floor but hit just 11 of their 38 3-point attempts. Oklahoma City was able to come away with eight steals while forcing 14 total Pelicans’ turnovers.