Oklahoma City Thunder center Steven Adams saw how the Houston Rockets “centers” plays on the perimeter and must have told himself that he could do it too.
In the first quarter, Adams got the ball on an inbound pass. Instead of handing it off to guard Shai Gilgeous- Alexander, who was cutting over from the sideline to set up a play, Adams decided to take on P.J. Tucker himself.
Adams drove. Adams got into the lane. Adams threw down a dunk and picked up the foul, earning a trip to the free throw line.
The Thunder big showed that small ball isn’t just for those under seven feet tall.
AND 1️⃣ FOR STEVEN ADAMS WITH AUTHORITY 😤💪
📺: FOX Sports Oklahoma
🔗: https://t.co/ckJynqV1Q0@okcthunder | #ThunderUp pic.twitter.com/MnWex80rFF— FOX Sports Oklahoma (@FOXSportsOK) August 22, 2020
Adams had a very good first game but was not as aggressive in Game Two.
On Tuesday, he had 17 points and 12 rebound in 27 minutes. On Thursday, he only attempted four field goals and finished with eight points and 11 rebounds.
Over six minutes in the first quarter of Game Three, he had two points, three rebounds and an assist.
The Thunder have fallen behind early in their pursuit to pick up a game and not fall to 3-0 on the Rockets in the first round of the NBA Playoffs.
The game is airing on ESPN and Fox Sports Oklahoma.
