Scrimmage 3 Rapid Recap: Thunder (131) def. Blazers (120)

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Official Box Score

This contest was all about the bench. With Chris Paul sitting out Oklahoma City’s third and final scrimmage, they required their bench to step things up. Newly returned Andre Roberson got the start in the place of the sitting Paul, further thinning OKC’s reserves. It was okay, as the bench brigade was led by rookie Darius Bazley and sophomore Hamidou Diallo. The duo combined for a stellar 36 points–20 from Bazley and 16 from Diallo–and were two of five Thunder reserves to score in double-figures. All together Oklahoma City’s bench combined for 85 points, trailing only the Pelicans’ 90 bench points scored on July 25for the most scored in a scrimmage this year.

Lu Dort was the only starter to eclipse 20 minutes. It would have been interesting for OKC to use this final scrimmage as a dress rehearsal for their first seeding match. However, with Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum sitting out for the Blazers, that would have been difficult. OKC finished the preseason a crisp 3-0 winning, their three contests by a combined 30 points. The Thunder will re-start their regular-season on Saturday, August 1, at 2:30 CST, with a nationally televised, long-time-coming meeting with the Jazz.