Balanced Thunder Cruise Past Cold-Shooting Magic, 102-86

Oklahoma City’s Well-Rounded Attack Downs Orlando at Home

In a highly anticipated matchup, the Oklahoma City Thunder emerged victorious against the Orlando Magic, securing a 102-86 home win. The Thunder's triumph was orchestrated by a balanced scoring attack and stifling defense, leaving the Magic cold from beyond the arc.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 23 points, followed by Darius Bazley's 18 and Isaiah Joe's 17. The trio combined for 58 points, showcasing the Thunder's offensive depth. In contrast, the Magic struggled to find their shooting rhythm, converting only 6 of their 32 three-point attempts.

Thunder's Stifling Defense Stifles Magic

The Thunder's defensive prowess was another key factor in their victory. They held the Magic to just 38.6% shooting from the field, including a dismal 18.8% from three-point range. Markelle Fultz, Orlando's leading scorer, was limited to 15 points on 6-of-16 shooting.

The Thunder's frontcourt played a pivotal role in the defensive effort. Aleksej Pokuševski and Jalen Williams combined for 7 blocks, altering numerous Magic shots at the rim. Their presence in the paint forced the Magic to settle for contested jumpers, contributing to their poor shooting performance.

Magic's Cold Shooting Woes Continue

The Magic's offensive struggles have been a recurring issue this season, and their cold shooting against the Thunder only exacerbated the problem. They made just 25% of their shots from beyond the arc, well below their season average of 34.4%.

Franz Wagner, who entered the game averaging 19.6 points per game, was held to just 10 points on 3-of-16 shooting. His struggles epitomized the Magic's shooting woes, as they failed to find any consistency from deep.

Balanced Thunder Continue to Impress

With their victory over the Magic, the Thunder improved their record to 23-24, firmly in the playoff hunt in the Western Conference. Their balanced scoring attack and stingy defense have been key factors in their recent success.

The Thunder will look to continue their winning ways in their next game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday, February 15.