TITLE: Thunder, Knicks Searching for Answers as Bulls Highlight Buzelis’ Growth
SLUG: thunder-knicks-bulls-recent-form-update
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Oklahoma City Thunder
The Oklahoma City Thunder have cooled off after a hot start, splitting their past 12 outings and absorbing a 124-97 defeat to the Charlotte Hornets on Monday. Head coach Mark Daigneault said the recent skid offers “a unique opportunity to really improve,” adding that opponents now approach the Thunder as a measuring stick. All-Star guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander downplayed concern, noting, “There’s a lot of games left… The best teams get better the next day.”
New York Knicks
The New York Knicks dropped their fourth consecutive game Monday, falling 121-90 to the Eastern Conference–leading Detroit Pistons. Jalen Brunson scored 25 points but did not record an assist and committed six turnovers. “If we want to be the team we say we want to be, we have to be better,” Brunson said. Head coach Mike Brown was blunt: “We had 20 turnovers for 33 points. You can’t play in spurts against a team like that.”
Chicago Bulls
Second-year forward Matas Buzelis is emerging as a bright spot for the Chicago Bulls. Over his last three games, the 20-year-old is averaging 21.3 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.0 assists, including a 26-point effort on 9-of-12 shooting in Monday’s loss to the Boston Celtics. “I’ve been most pleased with how decisive he’s been—no holding the ball, no dancing with it,” head coach Billy Donovan said. Buzelis, who called the adjustment to NBA play “just grinding,” is listed as questionable for Wednesday’s matchup with Detroit because of illness.
Source: Hoops Wire
