OKC Thunder Are Rewarding Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in Memphis Grizzlies Series

Thunder picking up the slack for Gilgeous-Alexander

Gilgeous-Alexander has only averaged 21.0 points through the first two games of this series. What's worse is that the Thunder guard has posted those numbers while shooting 33.3 percent from the field and 23.5 percent from beyond the arc.

It has not mattered. 

The Grizzlies have the second-worst point differential (-70) in the first two games of a playoff series throughout NBA history. The Thunder have rewarded the potential MVP by allowing him the comfort of struggling without repercussions.

The guy who was the driving force of the Thunder's success can rest easy knowing there is no expectation for him to do it all.

Gilgeous-Alexander understands how fortunate he is to have this team backing him up. The two-way superstar made that clear in his comments after the game via Joel Lorenzi.

"I feel like I’m getting looks that I usually make, just missing them. … Because my team is good, we’ve won two games by a decent margin. They had my back the last two nights."

-Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Most people had this series pegged as a quick one. The Thunder have been dominant on a historic level, while the Grizzlies are still in a confusing state following the puzzling decision to make a coaching change so late in the year.

What remains impressive is how convincingly the Thunder look poised to run away with the first-round matchup despite Gilgeous-Alexander's underwhelming play. Oklahoma City continues to showcase why they are the NBA title favorites this season.