Stiles Points: OKC Thunder Composure On Display Against Rockets

The Oklahoma City Thunder remained composed against the Houston Rockets, and it paid off in the end as the short-fused Space City Crew unraveled.

As the whistle blew for the second time in the space of one free throw attempt, the Rockets were served another technical foul. Following a challenge going against them, Ime Udoka and Jabari Smith Jr. were hit with citations for continuing to badger the officials about a foul that sent Thunder rookie Chet Holmgren to the free-throw line. 

At that moment, the difference between these two teams was evident: Composure. The Rockets spent their time attempting to change the mind of the zebras who just left the monitor reviewing the call on the floor, a more challenging task than selling beachfront property in Kansas, while the Thunder snowballed 21-4 run to put them up double digits heading into intermission. 

During Tuesday's win over Houston, sweeping the baseball-style series, the Thunder's composure and maturity advantage was on display in more ways than the end of half kerfuffle. 

When Oklahoma City hit a rough patch in the third quarter, the team stuck together, hanging their hats on the defensive end until their offense could get back in rhythm. While Houston put up a fight for the majority of the first half and even threw a counterpunch in the third frame. Eventually, the wheels fell off as the Rockets posted just 95 points, tied for their fifth worst output on the offensive end., 

The Thunder did not have their A-Game but utilized four runs of 10 points or more to overwhelm Houston and cruise to a win, eventually getting up 20 points.  

Stiles Points: 

• This was the latest tip-time in Oklahoma City Thunder history inside the Paycom Center, beating a tip that started at 8:57 during the NBA Playoffs. 
• Jaylin Williams did it all, posting five points, two rebounds, swatting a shot, swiping a steal, and drawing a charge. The Physicality he brought helped set the tone for the Thunder, as the Sophomore was a plus-14 in this matchup. 
• Josh Giddey was utilized well in this game as a cutter and screener more and was ultra-aggressive toward the rim, scoring 14 points with only one made 3-pointer. 
• Jalen Williams continues to pick up tricks of the trade as a go-to scorer in his minutes without Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on the floor. The sophomore rose up unbothered over Dillon Brooks in the mid-range, used his shoulder to bump Amen Thompson off his spot to create space to get off his jumper, and finished through traffic at the rim, which led him to 24 points. 
• Gordon Hayward threw down a Lob from Chet Holmgren that left me rubbing my eyes in disbelief. I thought I was back at Woodstock in a Fever Dream. 

Song of the Day: Closing Time by Semisonic.

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