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00:00:00It's presented by PayPal as we get set for game two between the Nuggets and the Thunders still waiting for a home team to win a game in the conference semifinals and it's the 16th game we've had decided by three points or less we had some what I'll tell you Kenny three Buffalo girls go around the outside around the outside around the outside how are you celebrating Buffalo girls good games we're celebrating we're celebrating good games
00:00:30uh yeah we know drama that's for sure tell you what uh we don't even care me Shaq and Kenny we don't these games so good we're gonna give our paychecks up what yeah exactly we do this job for free let me before we get to the highlight let me just the similarities between game one and game two are just striking game one it was 75 to 55 and then the run by New York
00:01:00was 31 to 11 tonight it was 73 53 and the run is 34 to 13 to take the lead it's unbelievable how how similar these two games were and uh the result the same in each uh the New York Knicks with a 2-0 lead over the reigning champion Boston Celtics having won both games in the Celtics gym
00:01:25and now the highlight and uh playoffs are just unbelievable it has been unbelievable Brunson Burner yeah Brunson Burner is on fire yeah Jason Tatum and the Celtics trying to tie this thing up Jalen Brown off to a good start well he he had a great start because he mixed it up Ernie he was one of the few guys that went to the rim and shot the three and mixed up his uh offensive repertoire
00:01:5426. Get off me little oh that's an old man there ain't no little man it's uh Carl Anthony Towns and one yeah he played big in the first half he's just killing this old man oh that'd be nice wait is my fault he old no just be nice you can refer to him another way okay grandpa
00:02:13here's a mix here's a mix Ernie that's what I'm saying he stayed he went to the basket he went in between he shot the three early on I think what he had 17 18 at the half Ernie yeah 17 and then there's Derek White for three but they still love that three ball Kenny and Chuck they do love it they're always gonna love a three ball it's what they do
00:02:33okay you know it runs and what they do dirty down to oh finish that beat him to the rim he and he can do more of that so look you got an 18 point game how you got a 20 point game it's 70 to 50 oh let's turn the TV off Ernie it's okay hey come on Kendrick here comes here comes that run turn the TV off
00:02:59four picks Josh Hart connects for three Mikkel Bridges who had a great fourth quarter
00:03:09Bridges was scoreless on 0 of 8 shooting the Ernie through three quarters Ernie shooter as I told you at halftime you look at this last game that was no
00:03:18for Zingas on the court Celtics are not the same for Zingas is not out there yeah he had a couple of buckets there in the third when they were building up the lead but not out there now and
00:03:27he did not buy them here goes they missed 30 threes tonight they were 10 for 40.
00:03:34Meantime Josh Hart with the floater
00:03:37see the difference in the highlights high percentage shots versus three points
00:03:42and Cat with the follow and one
00:03:45man this dude right here
00:03:47what's his name Kenny?
00:03:49Burner
00:03:49NBA's top clutch player doing his thing and then he gets that one to go Brunson Burner 89 88 Jason Tatum with an answer to give the Celtics the lead back 90 to 89 Brunson at the line calmly cans a pair 91 to 90 no timeout for me they had
00:04:16one but they didn't take it they got to get a shot here I think he didn't come in to the to it fast enough to come downhill got all of us got caught up in his dribble and
00:04:25game time
00:04:26Mikel Bridges with the block and jubilation on that New York side like oh my god the game got 3 30.
00:04:35you know what no team in playoff history has ever come back from 20 down in consecutive games to win but the knicks just did it to the Boston Celtics
00:04:44just did it to the Boston Celtics
00:04:46why are they playing that game at 3 30 that should be a Saturday night in New York City
00:04:49well it'll be on fire
00:04:50well it'll be on fire Saturday afternoon gonna be on this call
00:04:53it'll be on fire
00:04:54ain't nobody gonna miss that game
00:04:56TK who we got Joe Missoula
00:04:59all right here we go
00:05:01Joe what happened there in the last five minutes it just seemed like you guys couldn't score
00:05:06and they just made every play
00:05:08yeah they made every play and like I said you know throughout the end of that third and the fourth quarter I thought we generated some good looks
00:05:15and then I thought we had some live ball turnovers and they took advantage of it so they made the necessary plays to win
00:05:21you know we put ourselves in position to do that and we just didn't make the place
00:05:26you guys two days off how do you respond from this this is just another blown 20 point lead
00:05:32exactly your worst nightmare how do you come back from this
00:05:36I mean you just take a look at it figure out where you have to be better
00:05:39and you know put a full 48 minutes together so
00:05:42I have an understanding that it's going to be difficult but you know that's that's why we do what we do and figure out where we have to get better and do that
00:05:50Joe what was the thought process with not calling time out there of 12 seconds left
00:05:56I had one left got a good look on the exact same play 20 seconds earlier tried to execute the exact same thing
00:06:02they did a better job of their lower pickup point and we weren't able to get the advantage that we had on that on the last tatum dunk
00:06:08so good full court setting they weren't they subbed out towns weren't able to sub out Brunson had action there and just didn't execute
00:06:1591 to 90 is your final score the New York Knicks up to nothing with two road wins at Boston
00:06:24we'll have plenty of time on inside the NBA to talk this one out but right now we got more basketball
00:06:30Nuggets and Thunder in OKC
00:06:34Iron Eagle take it away
00:06:39Welcome to Paycom Center in OKC
00:06:42Fans here were in a state of shock at the end of game one of this series
00:06:46How did the Thunder respond?
00:06:49Aaron Gordon struck gold for the Nuggets a game winning three pointer down the stretch to cap a thrilling comeback
00:06:56Shea Gilgis Alexander looking to put the heartbreaking loss behind him and the team at home tonight
00:07:05Second round coverage on TNT is presented by Wingstop
00:07:10It's game two of the Western Conference semifinals Denver and Oklahoma City
00:07:15Golden State has a 1-0 lead over Minnesota in the other series out west and we welcome you courtside
00:07:23Hi everybody. Hi and Eagle Hall of Famer Grant Hill Stephanie ready the rest of our NBA on TNT crew
00:07:28I don't know if you heard the home team is yet to win a game in the second round
00:07:33It's never happened before in NBA playoff history getting this deep into the second round
00:07:38Denver had an epic ending Grant in game one OKC control the action for most of the game but
00:07:44They're down 1-0 in the series it's bounce back mode for them it is and OKC did some good things in that game
00:07:51They just couldn't close out the fourth quarter so expect expect Shea Gilgis Alexander and company to come out with a better sense of purpose
00:07:59Obviously take care of business at home and certainly try to bounce back from that disappointment in that fourth quarter Monday night
00:08:07Of course when you have one of the best players to ever play the game you have a chance
00:08:11Yo the Joker was fantastic
00:08:14And certainly with him on that side they believe they can come out and win game two
00:08:18There was a 1-21 1-19 victory for Denver on Monday night
00:08:23They've got Murray Brown Porter dealing with that left shoulder injury Gordon the hero and Jokic
00:08:29Thunder with Gilders Alexander Dort Williams Holmgren and Hartenstein
00:08:37Thunder have not lost two in a row at home since December of 2023
00:08:48But Denver looked very much like the team that won the championship just two years ago
00:08:53Their execution level in the fourth quarter and Grant the stocks they got against the best offense in the NBA
00:09:00Yeah, you said it best the experience taking over finding ways to win on the road in the playoffs
00:09:05Denver got it done
00:09:06Scott Foster James Williams and Molloy our officiating crew were underway at OKC
00:09:12The Thunder control the tip they're down
00:09:151-0 in the series
00:09:17Holmgren missed the two key free throws down the stretch that left the door open for the Nuggets
00:09:22Dort shot it well in game one Hartenstein hands it to him
00:09:27Three on the way rims out rebounded by Porter
00:09:31Denver finished 44% from the field they were 31% from three-point territory
00:09:38But they out rebounded the Thunder 63-43
00:09:41Murray it rims in to get the scoring started for the Nuggets
00:09:46And a similar start for Denver in game one
00:09:49Murray was very aggressive with 11 points early
00:09:53Keep it on the perimeter Williams did not shoot it well in game one
00:09:56He finished 5 of 20
00:09:58Holmgren got a bump from Porter continues on the drive
00:10:01Hartenstein gives it up
00:10:03The corner puck
00:10:04It goes
00:10:06And I am so important that OKC gets off to a good start this starting unit shot just 39%
00:10:12And they were 0 for 7 from 3 in the first 10 minutes of the game in game one
00:10:17So Lou Dort first on the board for OKC
00:10:23Off the miss there by Murray
00:10:27Williams on a kick
00:10:28Holmgren open look
00:10:31And it's rebounded by Jokic
00:10:33He had 22 boards on Monday night to go along with 42 points and 6 assists
00:10:38Murray pull a pop off
00:10:41And you can see there's a concerted effort early from Denver to get Murray going
00:10:46Unable to convert there but you like his aggressiveness if you're different
00:10:50Holmgren lob it up
00:10:52Slam it down
00:10:53Hartenstein
00:11:01Thunder led game one by as many as 14 points
00:11:04They were up 11 with 431 to play in regulation
00:11:10Step in steal by Dort
00:11:13Dort's going to try to do it himself
00:11:15He missed it
00:11:16Kept alive by Brown
00:11:17Gildas Alexander
00:11:19Cleans it up on the inside
00:11:20With a flush
00:11:22And that's Oklahoma City Thunder basketball
00:11:25Forcing turnovers and getting out in transition
00:11:27And scoring off of them
00:11:29Inside corner had it knocked away but a foul
00:11:34And right away here to start this game I
00:11:36And you see the activity on the defensive end
00:11:39And the activity on the offensive end
00:11:41Great pass on the interior
00:11:43He had four guys get down in transition
00:11:47Off of that steal
00:11:48Dort couldn't finish SGA there
00:11:50So the swarming defense the active hands
00:11:53Deflections
00:11:55That's how OKC needs to play and how they can need to manufacture points
00:11:59Gildas Alexander picks up the foul
00:12:01Another free throw here for Porter
00:12:03Shoots it at 77%
00:12:05On the season
00:12:06Porter was not a factor
00:12:10Didn't really play much in the fourth quarter in fact
00:12:13Was not making his jump shots
00:12:15Has a tough time lifting that left arm
00:12:17So even rebounding is a challenge for him right now
00:12:19It is a challenge but he hit those shots
00:12:21They need to get something out of him
00:12:23Too good, too important
00:12:25Certainly helped a factor
00:12:27And right away Jalen Williams
00:12:29Who hasn't played up to his regular season standards
00:12:32I like that he's aggressive early
00:12:36Capable driver
00:12:38So versatile defensively
00:12:40He's got to be a factor here in this game
00:12:42And right away attacking Gordon
00:12:44The strategy down the stretch
00:12:46Mark Dagnall has
00:12:48Said very publicly and then privately with us
00:12:51Hey, that's on me
00:12:53Those were my decisions
00:12:54The team executed what I wanted
00:12:56They were fouling
00:12:58Up three but they were fouling very quickly
00:13:00So it allowed Denver to get multiple opportunities
00:13:04To stay in the game and then eventually
00:13:06Get the game-winning bucket
00:13:08But what actually troubled Dagnall more
00:13:10Was the lack of stops
00:13:12In the fourth quarter that
00:13:14Vaunted OKC defense
00:13:16Wasn't there when they needed it
00:13:18Against this Denver squad
00:13:20And I like what he said in terms of
00:13:22There's pathways to improve from game one
00:13:26And certainly Aaron Gordon with the corner
00:13:29Three continuing to play at a high level
00:13:32But certainly Dagnall felt like
00:13:34We can get better on some of those
00:13:36Execution items in the defensive end
00:13:37In the fourth quarter
00:13:39Inside for Hartenstein
00:13:41The setup by Williams
00:13:4311-7 OKC
00:13:45The Thunder allowed a hundred point five points
00:13:48For given the first round of Memphis
00:13:50They gave up 121 in game one against Denver
00:13:52Porter misses on a three ball
00:13:53And it's grabbed by Holmgren
00:13:56Go to Salexander tries to shake off ground
00:14:03Hardenstein trying to give it up
00:14:08The cut!
00:14:10And the jam by Williams
00:14:12And Oklahoma City one of the best cutting teams in the NBA
00:14:17And it helps when you have bigs who can deliver like Hartenstein did there
00:14:21Energy has been there from the word go tonight for the Thunder
00:14:25They're five of eight from the field
00:14:27Gordon, it's Brown
00:14:28Pump fake and jumper is no good
00:14:32From three point land
00:14:38SGA, bounce it
00:14:40Hartenstein
00:14:42Again and again
00:14:44And again
00:14:4715-7 Thunder
00:14:49Six points for Hartenstein
00:14:51Denver opens up two of six from the field
00:14:52Murray on a handoff for Gordon
00:14:57He uses the Jokic screen
00:15:01And Gordon draws a foul
00:15:04Free throws for the 11-year veteran
00:15:07And I and you know OKC is such a good team at helping on drives
00:15:13And they really packed the pain in on dribble penetration
00:15:17So Denver's had some openings and opportunities from three
00:15:19But they're gonna have to knock down those open threes to keep that defense honest
00:15:24The NBA on TNT is brought to you by the Kia Telluride X-Line
00:15:29Kia
00:15:31Official Automotive Partner of the NBA
00:15:34Hartenstein six
00:15:37He's replaced by Jalen Williams
00:15:39Aaron Gordon finished with 22 points
00:15:4214 rebounds
00:15:44The game winning jump shot
00:15:46On Monday night
00:15:47His relationship with the fan base he has become Mr. Nugget in so many ways
00:15:56How about two game winners in the same postseason?
00:16:01Holmgren chants it from the corner
00:16:04And that was a big shot
00:16:06He needs to come back and bounce back from missing those free throws from the last game
00:16:11Fantastic start for the Thunder here in the first
00:16:14OKC let's take a look at our three for me spotlight presented by Chili's
00:16:20Well obviously the battle of the glass Denver plus 20 in game one
00:16:24The fourth quarter closing out games in the playoffs
00:16:27What a run by Denver in game one and then how will the game be officiated?
00:16:31Jokic so good at drawing fouls through 12 in game one
00:16:34Some things to look at and monitor throughout this game
00:16:40Paint points right now 10-0 in favor of the Thunder
00:16:45Transition certainly a big story line here
00:16:49OKC has actually been the best fast break team in the playoffs so far
00:16:53Denver was number one in the regular season
00:16:56Never had success in game one getting out in transition
00:17:01Against OKC
00:17:03Jokic got a body bump from Williams the floater doesn't go
00:17:06Brown got his hands on it ripped away by Holmgren
00:17:09And scooped up for the Thunder
00:17:14OKC has made its last five shots
00:17:17Gilgis Alexander
00:17:20Shaken bake flips it up no but a foul
00:17:24Brown came over on the hell
00:17:27This is so much fun to watch Gilgis Alexander play just a beautiful change of pace
00:17:34And a burst
00:17:36Going against Jamal Murray and then
00:17:39One of the best at drawing fouls as well getting to the free throw line
00:17:43Not running from contact but embracing it
00:17:47Drawing a foul
00:17:49Talk to David Adelman prior to the game asked him what the current
00:17:53Vibe is around the team he said it's not a satisfied vibe by any stretch
00:17:58Everybody's engaged everybody's confident nobody is looking at it as we already got our one game work good
00:18:04But they also recognize that OKC was going to bring a whole lot of fire here to game two
00:18:09Well this is an experienced team they understand what this is about the playoffs having won a championship
00:18:15So he
00:18:17Understands the pulse of this team and they understand it they're going to get a response here from OKC which they've done here early
00:18:2411 to run for the Thunder
00:18:2611 to run for the Thunder
00:18:29Jokic got a screen from Porter
00:18:32Fading off
00:18:34Gordon missed time the jump
00:18:36Holmgren leading the break for the Thunder
00:18:39Kick it corner Dort
00:18:41Williams lets it fly
00:18:43And it grazes the rim Porter's got the rebound
00:18:45Yeah and Williams has not shot on catches shoot threes with high efficiency in the postseason was a little off and short on that jumper
00:18:55They feed it to Jokic
00:18:58Looking for his first field goal not there keeps it alive
00:19:01Keeps it alive
00:19:03We are past the halfway point of this first quarter
00:19:06Jokic isolation against Williams
00:19:10They show a couple other bodies so he gives it up extra what a feed Porter misses on a three ball
00:19:17Denver has missed six straight
00:19:21Home grid spins off on Murray stripped of the ball turnover
00:19:26Ahead for Porter
00:19:29Picked up by Williams
00:19:31And now they settle in with 15 to shoot
00:19:38Jokic turns on Williams
00:19:41Scoop goes down for Nikola Jokic
00:19:44And they got a little cross matched on defense Jalen Williams
00:19:46Jalen Williams
00:19:49The small forward Jalen Williams guarding Jokic Jokic making a pay
00:19:53The bigger Jalen Williams hits on a three
00:19:56Well that's what he does a floor spacer
00:19:59Can stretch the defense and has actually done a pretty good job fighting Jokic in the low block
00:20:06He has the size and strength to battle him down low
00:20:09Listed at six nine two forty
00:20:12Murray missed it
00:20:13Tracked down by Kildress Alexander
00:20:16Thunder shooting 62% from the field
00:20:19SGA wants to clear the area
00:20:22The fade is good
00:20:29Timeout
00:20:31Denver it's 25-11
00:20:33Thunder
00:20:36The 2025 NBA playoffs are presented by
00:20:40Google
00:20:41Google
00:20:45Welcome back to Oklahoma City first quarter action underway
00:20:48And the Thunder are up big early over the Denver Nugget time Stephanie Reddy
00:20:52You might remember in game one it started much like this where the Thunder started off excellent on the offensive end
00:20:57But then it came down to the end of the game and it was just the last couple of possessions that decided it well guys I went and looked it up and the Thunder have only been in six games decided by three points or less this entire season including the playoffs two and four in those so you wonder how they practice well they make sure they go over game scenarios in practice and in shoot around they watch a lot of film they feel very prepared in these instances we'll see what happens tonight.
00:21:21All right Stephanie Murray will drive it kick it for the ground three shots are not going down they've been well contested Holmgren with a head of steam layup goes and a foul.
00:21:31And iron right there securing the rebound flying down the floor Holmgren with those long strides at 7-1 attacking not settling I like his aggressiveness here and we talked about how does he bounce back after that disappointment missing those two free throws in game one and he has been in attack mode early for the Thunder.
00:21:59He only played in 32 games this season because of a fractured pelvis and you think back to how his career started didn't play his rookie year because of injury so Holmgren has accomplished a lot in a short period of time but it's still new experiences for him it is but he's faced adversity as you mentioned and he faced adversity the other night he's been able to bounce back which is a good thing for the Thunder Denver is 3 of 13 from the field.
00:22:28Feed it inside and bounce off of Jokic turnover.
00:22:33Look Russell Westbrook is in Gilgis Alexander gets it to go and put some English on it the Canadian.
00:22:4030 to 11 Westbrook's jumper is good and Westbrook has been good in this playoffs and certainly played well in game one this lineup right now for Denver was so good in game one defensively and efficiently on the offensive end.
00:23:00Blue door.
00:23:07Kason Wallace also in the game for OKC it's now 33 to 13 and back and forth here between Williams and Westbrook.
00:23:25Westbrook is gesticulating and Scott Foster has made a call they're trying to sort it out exactly who the technicals are going to be on it indicated initially that it would be Westbrook.
00:23:43Westbrook is trying to make the case that it should be a technical on OKC as well.
00:23:52I didn't see the dust up between I think Jalen Williams and Westbrook but Westbrook down 20 early maybe trying to inject some life into his team.
00:24:03Certainly as a veteran understands his role and obviously not the start they wanted.
00:24:10So they got a personal foul on Jalen Williams the technical foul on Russell Westbrook.
00:24:15Williams right there pushing Joker out and Westbrook getting in his face.
00:24:19Definitely the right call with everything going OKC's way here early exactly what Mark Degno wanted.
00:24:28Maybe right now Westbrook trying to light a fire under his team here before it gets really out of control.
00:24:35And Westbrook basically telling Jalen Williams you're not going to do that.
00:24:37You're not doing that against Jokic. Jokic driving kick. Browns three. Too strong.
00:24:46And that's been a problem. One for seven from three right now. They've been wide open because OKC helps on threes. They can't convert.
00:24:54Lou Dort missed it from long range and it's knocked out by Murray so the Thunder will retain it.
00:25:01Got some changes with Isaiah Joe now in the game for Oklahoma City.
00:25:05Browns going to get a breather Porter back in and Peyton Watson seeing some first quarter action for the Nuggets.
00:25:14Get it in for Joe. It's not going to challenge Jokic. Nine to shoot.
00:25:24High screen Hartenstein. Kildress Alexander. Off balance. Banker goes. That's difficult.
00:25:32That was a tough four shot right there. Wow. Off balance. He is four of four from the field. He's got 11 points. It's 36 to 13. No look to the corner. Westbrook got a three.
00:25:47And finally Denver knocking down a three. And you see they've been wide open on their three pointers. OKC packing the paint.
00:25:55Got to knock him down to try to chip away here. Penetration. The dish inside. It nearly went down.
00:26:03But the Thunder are going to get free throws with Lou Dort heading to the strike.
00:26:07And this force that we're seeing from this Thunder team is really how they played all regular season.
00:26:13They they have a deep bench. They play a lot of guys. The defense. The force in turnovers.
00:26:20And obviously just dribble penetration which is a staple of how they play.
00:26:25You know maybe that long layoff. You know maybe that got a little out of sorts.
00:26:29We've seen some teams struggle in the first game here in these playoffs so far.
00:26:33Shop NBA store dot com right now for the best selection of NBA playoff gear.
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00:26:43Another free throw here for Dort. And with all of that said. The win was there for the taking of Holmgren makes his free throws.
00:26:53We have an entirely different storyline that we're talking about here tonight.
00:26:58It wasn't like they played bad. They just didn't execute at the end of the game like they would have liked.
00:27:03Didn't finish. Didn't slam the door shut as Mark Dagnolk said to us. Turnover. Wallace ahead.
00:27:08Joe Pope away. But he put it to Hartenstein. And Dort is there. Watson got a piece. But that's how this first quarter is gone.
00:27:17Everything is coming up. Thunder. The Thunder. Want the latest on playoff matchups. Just tell Siri. Show me today's basketball scores.
00:27:37Well the scores around the NBA have been very close. Not this one so far. 40 to 16. OKC.
00:27:50The crowd was stone silent at the end of game one. They have been so loud here in game two. Westbrook driving in for two.
00:28:00They were stone silent. I think just stunned by what happened at the end of the game here. But one of the loudest places is some of the best fans in the NBA.
00:28:10I'll tell you what. They are active and involved here in this one.
00:28:13Jokic Alexander trying to ditch it. Went right through the legs of Jokic off the hands of Hartenstein. That's the first OKC turnover of the night.
00:28:23Murray flicks it over. Porter misses on a three. And Jokic and Dort. There was a lot of contact between the two of them. Dort ends up on his backside. And a foul is called.
00:28:35And one of the principles defensively of OKC. They don't mind switching. Dort's down there on Jokic trying to front him. And they just he grabbed his arm or grabbed his body with his left arm. So certainly a foul there but a lot of contact.
00:28:51A lot of punishment that Dort had to endure. And Dort will get a hand from this crowd. He's replaced by Alex Caruso who was a major factor in game one. Dort with ten points here in the first.
00:29:05And Caruso if they had won that game one he would have been the player of the game for OKC. He was so valuable in that one.
00:29:12Foul called on Wallace. That is going to put OKC over the limit and send Murray to the free throw line.
00:29:21Well you've got to honor the two man game. Wallace was going to try to work over the potential dribble handoff. Great cut by Murray. All Wallace could do was fouling.
00:29:30Well Jamal Murray Kentucky product. Kayson Wallace Kentucky product. Shea Gilgis Alexander.
00:29:40Kentucky product. And I did see John Calipari in the arena earlier tonight. So there you go. There he is. We mentioned someone. We show them on television. It's magic. It is magic.
00:29:56Miss on the second attempt. It's 40 to 19. Calipari of course now the head coach at Arkansas. Yeah. And I wonder like when you have players on either team like. Is he root for like how does that go? I'm curious. He roots for them all. He roots for them all.
00:30:09He roots for them all. Anybody that's team Calipari is good with him. Well there are a lot of team Calipari out there in the NBA. Isaiah Joe with a downtown hit. He went to Arkansas. So Cal's rooting for him. He roots for him too. Jalen Williams as well. Big Jalen Williams. That's right. Back in. Jokic. Swing it. Westbrook. It's 43 to 19. Thunder.
00:30:39The pocket pass was able to be delivered there. But everything a struggle right now for Denver on the offensive end. The defense has been extraordinary for OKC.
00:30:46The defense has been extraordinary for OKC. Six seconds left in the corner. Gilders Alexander makes his move. Puts it up. Nearly goes down. He is headed to the free throw line with 4.1.
00:31:00And I in that last play. Look five guys in the paint. Hardenstein battling there with Jokic. They're not going to leave him on an island one-on-one with Jokic. And certainly a nice screen and roll where he was able to score. But just shows you the defense of principles of OKC.
00:31:17All right.
00:31:18All right.
00:31:20All right.
00:31:22All right.
00:31:23Shade Gilgis Alexander had 33 points.
00:31:2410 rebounds.
00:31:258 assists.
00:31:26On Monday night.
00:31:27Jalen Williams in.
00:31:30Joe to the bench.
00:31:31MVP.
00:31:32MVP.
00:31:33MVP.
00:31:34MVP.
00:31:35MVP.
00:31:36MVP.
00:31:37MVP.
00:31:38MVP.
00:31:39MVP.
00:31:40MVP.
00:31:42MVP.
00:31:43MVP.
00:31:44MVP.
00:31:45MVP.
00:31:46MVP.
00:31:47OKC had to toss it into Holmgren who missed the two free throws as time expires at the end of the first
00:31:57The Thunder shoot 71 percent in the opening quarter just one turnover following the game one loss
00:32:05Major bounce back so far from OKC second round coverage on TNT is presented by Wingstop
00:32:12Not sure you can play much better than OKC just did in the opening quarter
00:32:19Why you talked about bouncing back from the disappointment of game one and OKC has done that their offense has been spectacular dribble penetration
00:32:28shooting threes
00:32:29Collectively everybody getting involved forcing turnovers the shooting 71 percent from the field
00:32:3655 percent from the three-point line and that's huge because in the fourth quarter they shot just 35 percent
00:32:42Everything clicking speaking of clicking great alley-oop there to DeAndre Jordan
00:32:47So Jordan gets the scoring started in the second quarter
00:32:51OKC is on track to score a hundred eighty points tonight
00:32:5645 23 Caruso is fouled by Jordan 20 seconds into the period
00:33:04Congratulations Sam Presti the NBA executive of the year
00:33:08Oklahoma City Thunder
00:33:11Check out the limelight presented by Corona NBA executives to have multiple 60-plus win teams read our back Jerry West Pat Riley and Sam Presti on that list for the gold standard in the NBA right now what he's done but David David Copperfield
00:33:24Where's the picture of Sam Presti?
00:33:26We can't produce magic if the man doesn't want to be on television also just magic when you want to do magic pretty much, okay?
00:33:34Okay, thank you
00:33:36Check in with Stephanie guys, you know
00:33:39You're talking about Sam Presti winning executive the year while head coach Mark Dignold said he is executive of the year
00:33:45But he is not a year-to-year executive meaning he should have won this award several times because of all of the things
00:33:51He's done to put them in the position. They're in this year
00:33:54Yeah, just look at the consistency that this franchise has shown Williams blocked by Gordon. It's gonna count
00:34:00Goal tending after the Gordon three
00:34:05You want Presti you got Presti I am sorry that I doubted you know with your you doubted director rich Russo
00:34:15And that he delivered that's why he's the best 49 26 thunder in front just over a minute gone by in this second quarter
00:34:23Westbrook body bump there with Wiggins Westbrook
00:34:26Upset as Holmgren is called for the foul and Westbrook will head to the free-throw line. There was a
00:34:34Emotional reaction from Westbrook at the end of the play already picked up a technical foul
00:34:39And that's Westbrook's game
00:34:41attacking aggressive and went in there and
00:34:45Drew the foul and maybe foul home print as well
00:34:48But what he has done for Denver and how important he's been particularly off the bench
00:34:54He has fit in well great rebounder still energy is knocked down the three-point shot well
00:35:02This lead right now is a tough one to get back in for for Denver the NBA on TNT is brought to you by
00:35:10AT&T
00:35:10connecting
00:35:11changes everything
00:35:13That foul was called on Wiggins the initial contact
00:35:18Westbrook
00:35:20He's lost six minutes. He's looking for his ninth point
00:35:2649 28 thunder
00:35:29Really right now Denver is gonna have to work on their defense here and attempt to get some stops
00:35:35Everything going okay sees way Wallace pops it in from the outside
00:35:39Okay, see at a plus twelve point nine scoring margin this season that set an NBA record
00:35:49Gordon on a fade. He's got it so that plays to Stephanie's point earlier that it didn't play in a whole lot of close games because
00:35:56They were blowing teams out
00:35:58Williams takes it in
00:36:00Foul call well the way they played here thus far. I understand why they have blown teams out
00:36:08It's amazing to be so young
00:36:11as a ball club but to have the
00:36:14The maturity and almost a purity in terms of how they approach the game. They're unselfish
00:36:20They play for one another
00:36:22They're well coached
00:36:24And certainly you see why they've made such a huge jump in the last two years and have championship expectations this year
00:36:34They were 64 and 2 this season when going into the fourth quarter with a lead
00:36:39And they have the lead going to the fourth quarter in game one just could not finish the deal
00:36:4553 to 30 Williams adds another 10 15 mark of the second
00:36:54Because they haven't been in a lot of close games. They have to work on that in practice
00:36:58You heard me go talk about it
00:37:02watching film and
00:37:06Attacks the rim and gets charged for an offensive file case and Wallace
00:37:10Steps right in there
00:37:15And I kind of thought Wallace was moving his feet a little bit Westbrook thought the same
00:37:24So Westbrook initially wanted Denver to challenge it Nuggets decide not to and they get a touch foul on the outside on the drive by Williams
00:37:349 59 to go in this first half and Oklahoma City leads by 24
00:37:41Westbrook still
00:37:43Steaming mad after the call on the other end and getting into it with a fan
00:37:48Sitting in the fifth row and the fans they've paid cheer them before game one. They did not tonight
00:37:53What?
00:37:55Next on a three
00:37:57It's lights out
00:38:01Okay, see
00:38:03It's cooking
00:38:05Second round coverage on TNT is presented by Wingstop back here in Oklahoma City
00:38:11The Thunder have missed a grand total of six shots. They're 19 of 25 from the field. They're 12 of 12 of the free-throw line
00:38:20And the Kola Jokic has been neutralized so far
00:38:23Yeah, there's been a point of emphasis as there's always a point of emphasis against your kids
00:38:30They really have been physical with them
00:38:32swarming him
00:38:33But he has not been able to get involved and I'll tell you just to
00:38:38The energy that this team has come out with
00:38:41And how locked in they are both ends. It's
00:38:45Thunder what MVP finalists Jokic
00:38:49And Gilgis Alexander along with Giannis Adetokounmpo
00:38:53Gordon stumbling going to the rim
00:38:55He had it blocked underneath Caruso
00:38:58twisting and turning for two
00:39:00Looked like a track meet right there in transition
00:39:05Caruso flying down the floor, but also had a great block there
00:39:09Help side coming on the week on the baseline and on Aaron Gordon
00:39:13They're now shooting 77% from the field Murray hits from the corner
00:39:23Murray now with six points it's 59 33 thunder three minutes gone by in the second
00:39:28Wallace catch and shoot short
00:39:33Rebound
00:39:34OKC
00:39:36Wiggins kept it alive
00:39:38And then it's off his hands out of bounds and that might have been the only mistake they've made on the offensive end
00:39:44Westbrook attacking he lays it in
00:39:47Okay consecutive points 5-0 run here for Denver
00:39:52Certainly getting stops this zone right now giving OKC a different look
00:39:57OKC cannot just stay on the perimeter
00:40:00Gordon with a block on hold grip
00:40:0311 a shoot here for the thunder
00:40:06And I know it's a
00:40:09Quite quite the lead right now, but Denver you want to
00:40:13At least chip away here try to get it under 20 maybe go into halftime feeling good good about something in this first half
00:40:21Swing it around the perimeter
00:40:22Wiggins
00:40:24Kicks it out caruso short
00:40:29Rebound to brown
00:40:33Westbrook is he feeling it no
00:40:37Had yoke is posting up on the smaller wiggins they missed him
00:40:42Williams hard drive
00:40:44Brown gets a piece of it open look wiggins nails it from long range
00:40:49We've talked about it dribble penetration getting paint touches creating those three-point opportunities for the for OKC
00:40:57They are eight of 14 from deep 57 percent
00:41:02Gordon fakes up caruso drives in and blocked by Holmgren blocked again two for the price of one
00:41:11Wallace goes coast to coast he just kicked it to another gear
00:41:15And he missed it on the inside williams a factor
00:41:26Wiggins bounce gets it back
00:41:30Caruso
00:41:32Get it out
00:41:35And a foul called on wallace reaching in on jokic
00:41:40Right now OKC look at the defense homegrown just being long
00:41:45On the first attempt by gordon and then blocking the shot look at casein wallace
00:41:50Beat the entire nuggets team down the floor i played with a guy in phoenix
00:41:54Leandro barbosa who was so fast
00:41:57The brazilian blur the brazilian blur beep beep
00:42:02Beep beep that reminded me of leandro right there but
00:42:06OKC is like they're playing with almost a rage right now
00:42:10Like angry at what happened in that game one
00:42:13I think they are they are
00:42:1611-0 and fast break points in favor of OKC yokich missed it and hartenstein with a box out
00:42:24Yokich is now two of seven four points
00:42:30Williams hits the heel and the denver nuggets allow it to bounce out of bounds
00:42:36Biggest lead of the night 29
00:42:47Still have 638 to go on this first half murray fires bullseye
00:42:51Timeout mark dignell
00:42:57More second quarter action in game two when we come back on tnt and welcome back to oklahoma city
00:43:03Napoli yokich fresh off of 42 points in game one
00:43:07It's been a struggle here in game two the physicality of the nuggets they've swarmed him
00:43:13They've made it life uncomfortable
00:43:16They put a body on him
00:43:18Aggravated him got deflections. He has not been able to get along in that game one
00:43:22He had 18 points in the fourth quarter 24 points in the paint
00:43:28So he was so dominant
00:43:30But give credit to the thunder defensively
00:43:33Really neutralizing the joker here early
00:43:37Let's get more from stephanie guys
00:43:38I spoke with chet holmgren about that very thing
00:43:40He said the key is you don't let him do what he wants to do what he's comfortable with
00:43:44Take that stuff away make him go to his next option and then trust that over time it puts you in a good spot
00:43:49A miss there by wiggins out of the timeout and i like how i'm sure he told stephanie that he was very a matter of fact
00:43:56No one else in the league can do that as stephan and steel wiggins
00:44:01Takes it to the upper room and that right there they're trying to get the ball to yokich
00:44:06and wiggins on the weak side
00:44:09Able to get that steal everything they struggle nothing easy offensively for denver
00:44:1566 38
00:44:17thunder
00:44:22Yokich
00:44:24One-on-one with hartenstein he will take and make the three and he hit a similar three like that on hartenstein in the fourth quarter
00:44:32kind of squared up on him jab step hit a big time one and
00:44:36Yokich not able to get going inside steps outside
00:44:40blue dork
00:44:47on the rock attack
00:44:53westbrook pops off the rim cleared by hartenstein
00:44:59japan
00:45:06japan
00:45:06japan
00:45:08japan
00:45:08japan
00:45:10The lead has ballooned to 30.
00:45:20Inside cut.
00:45:23Foul called.
00:45:26Right now Denver is in a zone.
00:45:28Hard to block out.
00:45:30But Wiggins goes up high anticipating the miss.
00:45:35And his effort defensively knocked down some threes.
00:45:38On the offensive glass right now.
00:45:41I mean.
00:45:41The bench of OKC has scored 23 points.
00:45:46But we still have 4 minutes and 46 seconds left in the first half.
00:45:50Foul is called on Gildas Alexander who's 5 of 5 himself for 16 points.
00:45:57Jokic on the perimeter.
00:45:58Turns on Hartenstein.
00:46:02It is just a thing of beauty to watch him take.
00:46:06What would be considered a fall away but it's not really for him.
00:46:10Just a beautiful player and right now everything on the perimeter for him.
00:46:16Caruso swing.
00:46:18Lew Dort.
00:46:19No.
00:46:20Murray's got it.
00:46:21More of a lean away from Jokic.
00:46:26Asking for it.
00:46:28Foul called.
00:46:28Jokic on Caruso.
00:46:30And how about Alex Caruso.
00:46:33In transition.
00:46:34Had to match up with Jokic.
00:46:37Tried to fight him.
00:46:38Got in front of him.
00:46:39Got into his legs.
00:46:41Frustrated him.
00:46:42And that little slip there leading to a foul.
00:46:45So everybody getting involved defensively on Jokic.
00:46:50And a whistle stop play as they were banging on the inside.
00:46:54Gordon is looking for an explanation.
00:46:58He's going to pick up the foul.
00:46:59Contact with Hartenstein.
00:47:024-0-1 to go in the second quarter.
00:47:08Denver shooting it at 43%.
00:47:10OKC 63%.
00:47:12Jokic keeps it high off the miss from Dort.
00:47:17Westbrook for the purpose.
00:47:19Missed it off the rim.
00:47:22Down goes Caruso on the play.
00:47:23Right now it's 4-on-5.
00:47:25Caruso late to get up.
00:47:27Now on his feet.
00:47:32Goes this Alexander.
00:47:33Swing it.
00:47:35Wiggins.
00:47:36Got a 3.
00:47:37And that's how you attack a zone.
00:47:39Dribble penetration.
00:47:41Force 2 to guard you.
00:47:43Great opportunities for your teammates.
00:47:4810 points in 9 minutes off the bench.
00:47:51And turnover Denver.
00:47:53They are out of sorts.
00:47:56Yeah, right there contesting Westbrook.
00:47:58A little bit of a hand to the face.
00:48:00Knocked him down.
00:48:02Gathered himself.
00:48:03Got back involved.
00:48:04And, you know, right now OKC has played 10 guys.
00:48:09And they've all contributed.
00:48:10They've all been a factor.
00:48:12And we talked before this series.
00:48:14Denver, they only go 8 deep with Westbrook playing most of the minutes off the bench.
00:48:19And OKC just wears you down.
00:48:20Don't you tell Alexander?
00:48:22Short.
00:48:22Tip in.
00:48:24Hardenstein gets the roll.
00:48:25They are out-rebounding the Nuggets 23-11 in this first half.
00:48:32Quite a different story from Game 1.
00:48:34That's not working either.
00:48:35Jokic tried to hit Westbrook.
00:48:37Upstairs.
00:48:38Slammed down.
00:48:40Jalen Williams climbs the imaginary ladder.
00:48:43They are all pumped up in OKC hugely.
00:48:55Look at the upcoming NBA playoff schedule.
00:48:57TNT tomorrow night.
00:48:58The Warriors and Timberwolves.
00:49:01Golden State up 1-0 in the series.
00:49:03Game 2.
00:49:04We've got it for you.
00:49:05Steph Curry dealing with the injury.
00:49:07ESPN Friday night.
00:49:09Cavaliers and Pacers 2-0 Indiana.
00:49:11And then the Thunder and the Nuggets Game 3.
00:49:14Go to NBA.com or visit the NBA app.
00:49:21Peyton Watson in.
00:49:22That bounces off the hands of Porter.
00:49:278 to shoot.
00:49:28Jokic swing.
00:49:29Watson lines up the 3.
00:49:31And he's got it.
00:49:32And Watson had a pretty good series there off the bench for the Clippers.
00:49:37Talented young player showing his range.
00:49:39Jokic's Alexander fades and hits.
00:49:50Denver gets it up the floor in a hurry.
00:49:52We're down at 2-10 remaining in this first half.
00:49:57Westbrook hard drive.
00:49:58Blocked by Hartenstein.
00:49:59And Jokic is fouled.
00:50:04Hartenstein right there.
00:50:05A late contest.
00:50:07He's guarding Jokic on the drive.
00:50:10But able to just be big without fouling.
00:50:12Obviously Jokic comes in.
00:50:14They didn't help the helper.
00:50:16Jokic was able to secure the rebound and get to the free throw line for the first time here tonight.
00:50:22So Nikola Jokic has 9 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists.
00:50:36The Denver's shooting just 42% from the field.
00:50:46Enter for a chance to win NBA prizes at MichelobUltra.com slash courtside.
00:50:51Courtesy of MichelobUltraZero.
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00:50:56Try it today.
00:50:57Today.
00:50:57Missed the second attempt.
00:51:05Two minutes to go.
00:51:07First half.
00:51:10Wiggins.
00:51:12Can't hit the three.
00:51:13Hartenstein keeps it alive.
00:51:15Hartenstein finishes on the inside.
00:51:21Westbrook is fouled.
00:51:24Oh, a late push there by Hartenstein.
00:51:26Hartenstein after Westbrook was fouled.
00:51:30And Scott Foster was all over it as he was on the baseline there.
00:51:40So Westbrook walks away.
00:51:43The foul was called.
00:51:45And then there was a little shove at the end that sent Westbrook tumbling into the front row.
00:51:51I mean, Oakley used to do that to me all the time back in the 90s.
00:51:53You still have some issues with it?
00:51:56No, Oak and I are great.
00:51:57Oh, you're good.
00:51:58Don't try to start stuff between us.
00:52:00That's not somebody you want to mess with.
00:52:03Reported tonight on TNT.
00:52:05Grant Hill wants a piece of Charles Oakley.
00:52:07Don't let Iron Eagle come between us.
00:52:09Hardenstein will pick up a technical.
00:52:17The Thunder have five players in double figures in the first half as Jokic misses at the free throw line.
00:52:24It's one of those things where you have to reset your brain when you look at the scoreboard.
00:52:31You say, wait, they've got 82 points.
00:52:34Yes.
00:52:35This has just been one long run.
00:52:37An 82-47 run.
00:52:39And it's like, it's ongoing.
00:52:42Like, it wasn't like they had a stretch of four or five minutes.
00:52:44Like, the entire first half.
00:52:47They have been efficient.
00:52:48They've been aggressive.
00:52:50They've competed on both ends of the floor.
00:52:52And certainly that speaks to this Oklahoma City Thunder standard that Mardegno, Sam Presti, have established.
00:53:00And the areas that they knew they needed to improve.
00:53:03Rebounding.
00:53:04They've done it.
00:53:05Limiting Denver's transition points.
00:53:07They've done it.
00:53:10And the execution level has been through the roof for the Thunder.
00:53:15We're down to a minute 35 to play in the second quarter.
00:53:17Kildas Alexander.
00:53:19Short.
00:53:19Flying in.
00:53:20Homebred.
00:53:21He couldn't grab it.
00:53:21But there's going to be contact from Porter.
00:53:24And teams teach that where when you shoot the ball and you're in the corner, get to the elbows if you're crashing the office of glass.
00:53:32And Holmgren did exactly that.
00:53:36And just right now, it's just the activity.
00:53:37It's the energy.
00:53:41Multiple efforts.
00:53:44It's almost like if this was a boxing match, the official would stop the bout.
00:53:50You know, they would stop it.
00:53:53And, uh, I mean, it's just the onslaught has been absolutely incredible to watch.
00:53:58I think everybody anticipated that you would see this kind of fight and reaction from OKC.
00:54:04The question was, would it be this demonstrative and sudden?
00:54:10And the answer has been a resounding yes in the first half.
00:54:14Well, people forget, I mean, during the regular season, the season series, they split their four games.
00:54:20Both teams won on their opponent's home floor.
00:54:25And so, yes, we knew they'd respond.
00:54:28They knew they'd come out with force.
00:54:30But it's almost like they're sending a message right now with their performance here in this first half.
00:54:35Watch hit shows like Up and Adams with Kay Adams and Run It Back featuring Lou Williams, Chandler Parsons, and Michelle Beadle.
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00:54:45They are now closing in on an NBA playoff record, not just a Funder playoff record, NBA playoff record, most points in any half.
00:54:5586, Cleveland, Game 4 of the Finals, 2017.
00:55:03Wow.
00:55:05There's a minute 27 to go in this first half.
00:55:09Gilchrist Alexander, 18 points, 7 assists.
00:55:12Get into a set, motion.
00:55:21Gilchrist Alexander working, spinning, kicks it for Williams.
00:55:25Hard drive, give it up.
00:55:29Wiggins fades away and missed it.
00:55:32One minute to go, second quarter.
00:55:34Porter steps into the three.
00:55:37It's off.
00:55:38Rebound nearly went down for Jokic, but it's claimed by Williams.
00:55:41Ahead to Williams.
00:55:4745 seconds to go.
00:55:55Known as J-Dum.
00:55:56Williams, the drive.
00:55:57He's fouled.
00:55:5937.2 on the clock.
00:56:00And you saw right away, they recognized Williams matched up with Jokic, and there was no indecision right there.
00:56:09There was no dancing around, let me play with it.
00:56:12Williams put his head down, went at Jokic, and was able to draw a foul.
00:56:17I don't think Jokic fouled him.
00:56:18I think it was on Watson, but they gave it to Jokic.
00:56:23Well, they gave it to Jokic.
00:56:25And it sends Jalen Williams to the free-throw line, 79% shooter.
00:56:32Right there, he didn't waste any time.
00:56:35Crossover, and you're right, the forearm right there by Jokic is really all he could do to slow him down.
00:56:42That was the first miss of the night at the free-throw line for OKC.
00:56:46Wallace back in for the Thunder.
00:56:49Dort is in.
00:56:50Murray returns for Denver.
00:56:53Got a 13-second difference.
00:56:55Shot clock the game clock.
00:56:58Williams splits a pair.
00:57:0085-51.
00:57:04Getting it in for Westbrook.
00:57:07Leave it for Jokic.
00:57:08Fires.
00:57:10Hits a three.
00:57:1015 for Nikola Jokic.
00:57:17Home grip.
00:57:18Ball fake.
00:57:19Pull-up jump.
00:57:21Rimming out.
00:57:22And Jokic with the board.
00:57:24That would have been the NBA playoff record for points and a half.
00:57:27Westbrook puts it up.
00:57:29No.
00:57:30Rebounded by Williams.
00:57:31Foul is called.
00:57:35And two Nuggets are down on the play.
00:57:38Watson and Westbrook.
00:57:41It's interesting.
00:57:42It looked like Jalen Williams, who I think they're going to call the foul on, but it's like he went up with two hands to get the rebound.
00:57:50Take a better look at it here.
00:57:55And maybe some of the lower body there, as they called him, maybe going over the back.
00:58:00But it didn't really look like, obviously two guys fell, but it didn't look like a lot of contact from Williams on that rebound attempt.
00:58:07And then Westbrook caught his teammate Watson up high.
00:58:10I mean, for Denver, you know, 55 points.
00:58:18He won that first-half performance.
00:58:20It's not bad, but just giving up 85 Thunder team has made 10 three-pointers, 58% from the field.
00:58:29It's not going to cut it defensively at all.
00:58:32Russell Westbrook, 14 points.
00:58:38Five of five at the free-throw line.
00:58:40Fourteen seconds on the clock.
00:58:49Gilgis Alexander with seven.
00:58:56Switch defended by Murray.
00:58:58Three seconds.
00:58:59Two seconds.
00:59:01Home grip.
00:59:01Fires it up.
00:59:02Contact out front.
00:59:07The question, did time run out or was the foul before the buzzer felt like it was before?
00:59:16And Ed Molloy and Scott Foster will go to the monitor.
00:59:20Definitely contact on the arm, and you see the ball out of his hands.
00:59:24Point five seconds are on the shot clock there.
00:59:27So now, assuming that Chet Holmgren has an opportunity to shoot these free throws,
00:59:34they have a chance to break that record.
00:59:36They do.
00:59:38It was Holmgren who was at the free-throw line at the end of the fourth quarter in game one.
00:59:42Missed on a pair.
00:59:43Gordon hit the three-pointer to give Denver the victory.
00:59:47The victory.
00:59:47Point five.
00:59:49Chet Holmgren on shoot two.
00:59:51And by the way, welcome back, Scott Foster.
00:59:53He had been out since March the 17th with a calf injury.
00:59:56One of the best in the NBA, so Foster is.