Oklahoma City couldn’t close out the series in Game 6, getting thumped 91-118 to see us head back to Paycom Center for a huge Game 7. It was a similar flow to Game 4, with San Antonio getting off to a hot start before really running with the win in the third quarter, as Oklahoma City’s offence really struggled, recording just 13 points in the third. The visitors couldn’t make a dent in their deficit in the fourth quarter, making for another blowout at Frost Bank Center and an awful 90.1 offensive rating, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander really finding life hard. The star guard shot just 6/18 from the field and got just three free throw attempts to record 15 points and four assists. There were few standouts for Mark Daigneault’s side, with Chet Holmgren’s 10 points, 11 rebounds and two blocks the pick of the bunch. Jalen Williams tried to return from his hamstring injury but offered nothing in his 10 minutes on the floor and the likes of Isaiah Hartenstein, Alex Caruso and Jared McCain, who were all so important in Game 5’s victory, had virtually no impact. That has commonly been the case for Oklahoma City’s role players on the road in this series, outside of their Game 3 victory, but there will be a lot of relief in knowing that they head back home for the decider.
San Antonio will head to Oklahoma City full of confidence after their beat down of the defending champions in Game 6. It was another elite defensive performance, spearheaded by Victor Wembanyama, who ended the game with 28 points, 10 rebounds, two steals and three blocks to be a +13 in just 28 minutes. Wemby came out with a point to prove after a disappointing Game 5, as he had 22 points at the half and then turned up the defensive heat in the third to see San Antonio really pull away and lay the foundations for the blowout win. Stephon Castle was excellent again, with 17 points, five rebounds and nine assists and Dylan Harper was a real handful, with 18 points, six rebounds and four assists. Devin Vassell had a solid two-way game with 12 points, one steal and two blocks, as did Julian Champagnie, with 10 points, six rebounds, one steal and two blocks to make this another impressive showing from SA at home. Allowing just a 47.8% FG% at the rim while committing just one shooting foul there, it was a dominant interior game from the hosts and they will be looking to repeat that formula on Sunday.
The decider is a true 50-50. Oklahoma City have been markedly better at home in the postseason (+14.0 net rating) and in this series (+4.8 net rating) but Wembanyama has been the best player in this matchup and that balances things out. If Oklahoma City can continue their hot shooting at home, they will come out on top, but I am putting my trust in Wemby, Castle and the rest of San Antonio’s key defensive pieces to do the job here and make this game a grind by forcing the hosts into tough shooting locations. SGA has had a poor series and there doesn’t seem to be a clear fix in this showdown, and with that going against OKC, I am happy to ride with San Antonio as underdogs.