The tables have turned for the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Thunder know how to make comebacks. They know how to play with nothing to lose and to outwork the opponent. Their first three wins were all come-from-behind victories, one of which required a 26-point comeback.
On Wednesday against the New Orleans Pelicans, the Thunder got a taste of the other side. They learned a lesson — they are not good when they are on the right side of a blowout.
A 21-point Oklahoma City lead in the fourth quarter turned into a five-point game with less than two minutes left before Shai Gilgeous-Alexander created space and hit a jumper to stabilize the Thunder and push them to a 108-100 win.
Outside those jarring final 12 minutes, the Oklahoma City Thunder were simply the better team on Wednesday night. They shot better, defended better and were more physical.
They also avoided technical fouls. The score was close in the second quarter until the Pelicans, frustrated at the officiating, were dinged for five technical fouls. It culminated in an ejection for Josh Hart, and the Thunder took an eight-point lead into the half.
In the third quarter, New Orleans pulled back and took a lead. The Thunder answered with a 16-0 run to elevate the lead to an insurmountable number.
Josh Giddey had seven points, 12 rebounds and nine assists. Mike Muscala scored had 12 points and was a plus-17 in 13 minutes of play. Lu Dort scored a season-high 27. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander once again exploded in the third quarter.
As a result, the team picked up its first three-win streak since Jan. 6-10.
Here are grades from the Thunder’s performance: