Montreal's Lou Dort's opportunistic approach helped the Oklahoma City Thunder

When he gets those hits, the Lightning usually flourishes. He won in seven games against the Toronto Raptors, 135–127, in double overtime on February 4, and in seven games against the defending champion Denver Nuggets, 105–100, on January 31.

But he didn't score in a 146-111 loss to the Mavericks in Dallas and went pointless after a 124-117 loss to the Utah Jazz in Salt Lake City.

Dort said using OKC's defense, including kicking, to power its offense plays a key role in head coach Mark Dagno's schemes.

“It's huge. I feel like whenever we play fast and in transition, we always have an advantage,” Dort said after the win over Sacramento. “Every time we have turnovers or the ball, we just want to play fast and we did well.”

Fellow Canadian Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Lightning in a win over the Kings. The Hamilton product continued his MVP-caliber season with 38 points, seven assists and three rebounds.

He averaged 31.1 points (second best in the NBA), 6.6 assists, 5.6 rebounds and a 54.8 field goal percentage.

Gilles-Alexander agreed with Dort that Oklahoma City's defense is at its strongest when everyone is contributing and supporting each other.

“That's the defense we try to be. A lot of effort, a lot of effort to help each other,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “Obviously, you're not going to be perfect the entire game. There will be difficulties.

“But if we try to help each other and fight and try to make some efforts, it will hide itself.”

OLYNYK SETTING IN — Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic said he expects Kelly Olynyk, who was born in Toronto and moved to Kamloops as a teenager, to find his voice in the locker room at backup center. The 11-year NBA veteran was traded from Utah to the Raptors on Feb. 8 along with Ochai Agbaji.

“It's tough for them with all the new players and a lot of young players. It's not easy for them to have this conversation and it's not easy for them,” Rajakovic said Tuesday about this transition. “They've only known Kelly for three days, what do you say to him, he's been in the league for a long time and he's not comfortable at the same time.

“I'm on a new team and I don't even know what to do offensively or defensively, what do I tell the guys here?”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published on February 13, 2024.

John Chidley-Hill, Canadian Press