Phoenix Suns guard Jalen Green couldn’t hide his disappointment in his team’s 119-84 Game 1 loss to the OKC Thunder on Sunday. When asked about the 19 turnovers, the biggest issue in Phoenix’s meltdown, Green responded:
“I feel like there’s a couple of bad calls for how we’re gonna be playing in the playoffs and how the refs allowed them to play. I think it got to be both ways, or just call the same foul both ways.”
In the regular season, the Thunder ranked No. 2 in forced turnovers, harassing opponents to commit 16.7 errors per game. The defending champs were also No. 1 in points scored off turnovers with 22.0 per outing.
In Game 1 against Phoenix, Oklahoma City relied on its pressure defense, physicality and crisp rotations to pound the Suns. OKC forced the visiting team into 19 turnovers and scored a staggering 34 points off those errors. By contrast, the Thunder committed eight turnovers, which resulted in just two points for the Suns.
The 19-8 turnover difference and 34-2 disparity in points off turnovers were too much for the Suns to overcome.
Jalen Green expressed his frustrations with the seemingly favorable calls the Thunder got in Game 1. In the regular season, a few opposing coaches and players called out the alleged officiating that has benefited the Thunder. Green joined that list on Sunday.
Jalen Green Struggled Badly Against Suffocating Thunder Defense
The OKC Thunder’s game plan was to blitz Devin Booker, forcing the star guard to often give up the ball. Jalen Green failed to maximize his opportunities, going 6-for-16, including 2 of 7 from 3-point distance.
Green had a solid start, scoring six of the Suns’ 20 first-quarter points. However, as the game progressed, Thunder steadily prevented the shooting guard from making an impact. Lu Dort, Cason Wallace, Jalen Williams and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander were the main defenders who gave Green fits.
The Thunder were aggressive and physical right from the opening tip. Green and Co. struggled to adjust to both, a key reason they trailed 35-20 after the first 12 minutes.
Once OKC grabbed a stranglehold on the game, Jalen Green and his teammates hardly had any chance to rally. The Thunder run the Suns to the ground by forcing turnovers and by turning them into points.
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