The Portland Trail Blazers (5-3) overcame a 22-point first-quarter deficit, stepped up in the fourth, and escaped with a hard-fought 121-119 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder (8-1) on November 6.
BEST PLAYER OF THE GAME:
Deni Avdija POR SF 26 PTS | 10 REB | 9 AST | 57.5 FPS
Avdija turned in his least efficient shooting performance of the season but made up for it with a nearly flawless 15-of-16 showing at the free-throw line. He recorded his seventh 20-point game in his last eight outings while coming close to a triple-double.
BREAKOUT PERFORMANCE:
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander OKC PG 35 PTS | 9 REB | 4 AST | 51.8 FPS
SGA extended his scoring streak, putting up 30 or more points for the fifth straight game and in eight of his first nine this season. He’s also starting to find his rhythm from the three-point area, converting 7-of-10 over his last two games. However, his overall impact was limited against the Blazers, as he failed to record a single stock for the first time this season and also posted his lowest assist total so far.
SCORING MACHINES:
Aaron Wiggins OKC SG 27 PTS | 10-19 FG | 7-10 3PT | 41.4 FPS
Wiggins has scored in double figures and shot 50% or better from the field in two games this month, but he went off against the Blazers, recording his second 20-point game and third with at least four made threes this season.
Ajay Mitchell OKC SG 21 PTS | 7-11 FG | 7-7 FT | 28.3 FPS
Mitchell slowed down in his first two games this month after averaging 18.5 points in October, but he got his rhythm back against the Blazers, recording his third 20-point game of the season.
STAT SPECIALIST:
Isaiah Hartenstein OKC C 10 PTS | 11 REB | 2 STL | 29.7 FPS
Hartenstein picked up his fourth double-double this season and led his team in rebounding for the seventh time in nine games.
DEFENSIVE STANDOUT:
Donovan Clingan POR C 8 REB | 2 STL | 2 BLK | 27.6 FPS
Clingan came up just short of his second double-double but stood out on defense, leading the team in blocks and tying for the most defensive stats in the game.
THE SHARPSHOOTER:
Jrue Holiday POR PG 22 PTS | 7-16 FG | 6-10 3PT | 31.2 FPS
Holiday shot 2-for-13 from three in his previous two games, but he caught fire against the Thunder, hitting a season-high in threes and topping 20 points for the third time this season.
THE X-FACTOR:
Jerami Grant POR PF 20 PTS | 6-14 FG | 6-6 FT | 35.5 FPS
Grant is averaging a steady 20 points off the bench this season while shooting 51.2% from the field and 43% from three. He maintained that same level of play against the Thunder and added his best rebounding and playmaking numbers of the season.
PLAYER TO WATCH:
Shaedon Sharpe POR SG 18 PTS | 6 REB | 3 STL | 36.7 FPS
Sharpe has scored at least 15 points in every game this season despite some shooting struggles. He’s also made a bigger impact on defense, recording at least six rebounds and three steals in two consecutive games in November.
BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT OF THE GAME:
Cason Wallace OKC SG 5 PTS | 2-4 FG | 3 TO
Wallace was quiet on offense, ending his three-game streak of double-digit scoring and a four-game run of making at least two three-pointers. But he still made his presence felt on defense, posting season highs in rebounds and blocks, along with his fifth game this season with at least three steals.
