Game 3 Bolts: Bittersweet
The Thunder pulled out an ugly, historic, weird comeback win over the Grizzlies last night.
The exciting parts:
The bummer part: Ja Morant will miss Game 4 with the hip injury he suffered in a scary collision with Lu Dort in the second quarter. Even if the Grizzlies didn't stand much chance in the series, losing your star and, subsequently, your chance to keep the series competitive, is just a pitiable end of the season for Memphis fans.
Dort was bummed, too: "Dort approached Morant while he was at the line, tapping him on his chest and apologizing. "It's a tough one," Dort said. "I was running back, making a hustle play for my team. I was running quick, stopped on a dime. I didn't know he was behind me and I was slipping, so I still tried to make a play on the ball. ... I hope he's OK. I obviously didn't mean to hit him like that."
Darnell Mayberry (The Athletic) on the win: “Our defense is our superpower,” Caruso said. “When we’re locked in on that side of the ball, we’re an unstoppable force because we just have so many guys and such great instincts and can finish possessions.” Caruso’s defensive instincts jumped out again down the stretch. He played the final 10 minutes and supplied a series of critical stops inside the final three minutes. With the game tied at 108 with 2:15 remaining, Caruso swatted the ball out of Jaren Jackson Jr.’s hands on a post-up. The scorer ruled it as a blocked shot. With 40 seconds remaining and the Thunder nursing a three-point lead, Caruso then stole the ball from Pippen Jr. on the perimeter. Caruso turned to the crowd, roared and pounded his chest. He had four steals, two against Jackson.
Fred Katz (The Athletic) breaks down the Thunder's suffocating defense: The play below is actually a well-executed one from Memphis, which has the ball down only three points with under a minute to go. But look at the communication between the Thunder, which allows them to pull off constant switches and still recover to their men. Then check out the contest at the rim from MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, one of the league’s top shot-contesting guards. And finally, peep at Caruso covering ground like he’s Ed Reed."
Charles Barkley is bored by OKC/Memphis being on TV.
Jeremy Lamb accuses Kevin Martin of soft points shaving when playing for the Thunder.
Around the league: Evan Mobley wins DPOY...Draymond Green wins the Hustle Award...Dillon Brooks calls Draymond a dirty player...Adam Silver discussed league expansion and broadcast revenue.
