Josh Giddey: Returning To Form
Some would say that Josh Giddey has been on a slow start due to some small injuries in some of the earlier games in the season. Reporters have even said that he is still trying to fit into this Oklahoma City team due to this only being his second season in the NBA. This Thunder team is very young and trying learn how to play with each other against veteran and bigger teams. It has been proven even through these difficult times, Josh Giddey has shown that he is one of the best stars on this young team and it continued to show against the New York Knicks
This game against the Knicks was definitely by far his best game of the season. Giddey showed that his floater was on point with multiple finishs within the paint. His ability to keep his head up and scope out very precise passes helped lead the OKC offense to its season-high points. He showed to be very calm, and some would say to be in control with the starting lineup. He has worked his way into being the leading point guard and helps run the offense.
There is something about Madison Square Garden to Josh Giddey. In the game against the Knicks he was able to pick up a huge accomplishment in NBA history. With Giddey’s stat line in this game (2022), he was able to join Wilt Chamberlain (1968) as the second player to record triple-doubles in their first two games at Madison Square Garden. In this game he was able to pick up his 5th triple-double in his career with 23 points-12 assists-10 rebounds.
“Any time your name is within the company of (Chamberlain), one of the all-time greats, is special,” Giddey said. “But basketball is a team game, so if those things contribute to winning and helping my guys around me be better, then it makes it worth it.”
Giddey was 2–3 on three-point shots and hit this huge shot to extend the Thunder’s lead to 6 right before the half. Right after his shot he hit the Knicks bench with a cold celebration. As you can tell Giddey was feeling himself, but with stats like these who wouldn’t celebrate a strong half.
Passes like this will help this Thunder offense strive. Even though this team is young they also have a lot of talent. One of Giddey’s best attributes that he gives to this team is his precise passing. He is able to slice a team’s defense with just one pass. He fooled the whole Buck’s team, making them look silly as he handed Jaylen Williams the easy dunk.
Oklahoma City Thunder’s (6–7) next opponent is a tough Celtics team(10–3). The Thunder are looking to pick up their third straight win. In order to pick up this win they need to continue to stay fast on offense and pick up rebounds on defense. So will the game against the Knicks give Giddey some kind of confidence to help this Thunder team pick up a win against the Celtics on the road?
- Moneyline (ML): Thunder +390 (bet $100 to win $390) | Celtics -550 (bet $550 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Thunder +10.5 (-103) | Celtics -10.5 (-117)
- Over/Under (O/U): 229.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
