OKC-ya-later: Thunder crush Nuggets in Game 2

The Oklahoma City Thunder may have struggled to close Game 1, but they made sure that wouldn’t be an issue in Game 2 by blitzing the Denver Nuggets early.

Going up 35 early thanks to the highest-scoring first half in NBA playoff history, the Thunder scored 87 points before the break, making nearly every shot. They blew the Nuggets away before the halftime show began, taking Game 2 149-106 to deadlock the series at 1-1.

While OKC came out missing all of their threes in the first quarter of Game 1, in Game 2, all of their starters were in double figures by the break. The large scoring came in contrast to the Knicks and Celtics, who wrapped up a game just moments before tip-off in the Sooner State with a final score of 91-90. It’s hard to put into words just how hot the Thunder were, cashing 59% of their shots, 44% of their threes and 94% of their free throws in the first.

It seems the toll of a seven-game series win over the Los Angeles Clippers and quick turnaround to travel to Oklahoma, facing the NBA’s winningest team, finally caught up to the Nuggets. They were beaten in every single way, as the Thunder went plus-11 on the glass and plus-six on the turnover count through the first two periods.

Denver’s lack of punch showed up right away. A little over two minutes into the game a Jamal Murray turnover led to a Thunder fastbreak. Two Nuggets players sprinted back and forced a Lu Dort miss. But the other three Nuggets didn’t return to defense, and OKC got an offensive rebound and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander dunked it in. That extended the Thunder’s lead to 7-2. The four-point play loomed as a big early sign since the Nuggets never got it to within two again.

SGA led the Thunder with 34 points on 13 shots in a full-team effort from the home crew. Nikola Jokic had has many fouls, six — disqualified in the third quarter — as he did buckets, six, in the game. He added eight rebounds and six assists to his 19 points. Russell Westbrook provided a nice spark off the bench as the team’s leading scorer, but Michael Porter Jr.’s shooting struggles continued at two makes on 10 shots.

The Thunder finished the game with as many assists 31, as the Nuggets had shots. Only this season’s Nuggets, who allowed 145 and 149 points in a game, had allowed more points in any regulation contest since the early 1990s.

Maybe most concerning is the fact it was the fourth time in franchise history the Nuggets have allowed that many points in the first half of basketball. The other three instances were all during Paul Westhead’s disastrous time as bench boss. His name has been a frequent one that has come back up with the Nuggets this season on their worst nights, filled with their worst stats. Basically we haven’t seen this poor version of Denver since David Adelman has taken over. Maybe it’s something, maybe it’s just fatigue and accomplishing the split goal — but it is notable to point out a possible crack.

Game 3 is in Denver on Friday. Teams that are able to split the first two games on the road are 68-110 in seven-game series in the NBA since 1984, so the Nuggets are still in a solid situation given they’re going up against the NBA’s top team.