The Oklahoma City Thunder are up 3-2 in their series against the Denver Nuggets headed into Game 6. They are hell-bent on making it to the second round. None have been more important to that success than Alex Caruso, who’s been putting on a show of late. In those two games, Caruso has continued to add double-digit scoring to the scoreboard. He’s already shown that he can be a game-changer on both sides of the court.
Caruso’s impact has been an even bigger boon. The Thunder rank fourth in bench minutes this season. To be fair, he is a fine three-point shooter. He has averaged 3.0 treys per game in the four games that he has played 23 or more minutes. This consistent shooting from beyond the arc has allowed him to become a reliable asset for the Thunder during crucial moments. Caruso was on fire against the Magic, making multiple threes a game except for Game 2. In that game, the ascendant Thunder brutalized Golden State by a staggering 43 points. In that game, Caruso was limited to 10 minutes.
His run through the playoffs has been remarkable. Caruso has hit at least one three-pointer in 10 of 12 games thus far, and he hasn’t missed a game in the Eastern Conference Final, striking from distance in all five games. His ability to agitate opposing players on defense while delivering key shots has made him an invaluable player for the Thunder.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic are both climbing up the MVP ladder. Their intense rivalry only increases the anticipation for the dynamic duo’s potential landmark matchup. Gilgeous-Alexander is still dominating and making his teammates better, but Jokic’s new age magic has defenses in knots. Aaron Gordon turned into an elite 3-and-D forward this year. On top of that, he averages 1.5 three-pointers per game and is hitting a phenomenal 43.6% from deep in the regular season. Gordon’s raised his performance level in these five contests with Thunder, drilling an average of 2.6 treys a game.
The positive impact of players in the mold of Caruso and Gordon have recently caught the eye of defenders in the sports media landscape. About the Author Dr. André Snellings , ESPN Senior NBA Writer Dr. André Snellings earned his doctorate in biomedical engineering. He emphasizes the importance that pivotal players, like Caruso, have in the long playoff runs. Eric Moody, another ESPN writer specializing in fantasy sports and betting, emphasizes the importance of players’ performances as teams vie for advancement in the playoffs.
After winning the bid war, the Thunder are surging into Game 6 with momentum and confidence. They’d need Caruso at his best, to say the least, as they looked to close out the series against the Nuggets.
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