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| Russ Isabella-US PRESSWIRE |
Thunder's previous game: Oklahoma City started out the game just right. They were above 50% from the field, they dominated the glass 15-4, they were active in the paint, but they threw away a ten point lead in the second quarter.
The Thunder's defense completely collapsed in the second quarter, giving up thirty five points to the Spurs, while struggling to find their offensive rhythm as well - scoring just eighteen points themselves. Everything looked fine before this happened. K-Mart was 3-3 from beyond the arc, though he would finish just 3-8 from the field, not scoring for the wrest of the game - and the Thunder's bench continued to disappear.
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| AP Photo/Darren Abate |
This has been a constant struggle this season for Oklahoma City. Their bench hasn't been able to consistently out play other team's benches. One night they score thirty five points, the next they score eleven. The cycle continues, and it must be fixed if the Thunder's stock is to rise as a play off team, potentially making it back to the finals - which many people are starting to become doubtful of, they need to find stability on their bench.
A lot of the talk has been directed towards Scott Brooks, the Thunder's head coach. The on and off minutes certain players have been getting, and the foggy rotations that seem to change every other game, have made many fans uneasy. People are starting to doubt if he's capable of coaching a team to the finals again, but people have to remember that it's the regular season, and the Thunder have still made progress from their previous season.
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| AP Photo/Darren Abate |
After things fell apart in the second quarter, the Thunder never managed to put together any significant runs other than an 8-1 run midway through the third quarter that brought Oklahoma City within one. The Spurs, though - would quickly extend their lead back to as much as nine by the end of the quarter, weakening the Thunder player's morality and making it most unlikely for a fourth quarter come back. Oklahoma City would go on the lose to the Spurs 105-93.
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| Russ Isabella-US PRESSWIRE |
Last meeting with Jazz: Kevin Durant went off for thirty three points in Utah back in early February, but it wasn't enough.
Oklahoma City struggled immensely with turn overs, perhaps the worst game of the season for the Thunder when it comes to taking care of the ball. They turned it over twenty times to the Jazz, and allowed twenty eight points off of them. This resulted in any runs the Thunder would put together just stopping on a dime. You can't score any meaningful amount of points in a select period of time when you're constantly turning the ball over.
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| Russ Isabella-US PRESSWIRE - Presswire |
The Thunder has some success though in running the floor. They were able to score twenty one points on the Jazz in the fast break, doing so efficiently - making eight of the twelve fast break shots. If Oklahoma City has a strong suit against this Jazz team, it would be this indeed. They were more athletic than the Jazz, and certainly quicker in transition.
The turning point was the fourth quarter, a quarter in which Oklahoma City gave up six points off four turn overs, and shot a measly 38% from the field. It was perhaps over before it really was over, though. Scott Brooks allowed the starters to play just six minutes in the fourth, but allowed back up point guard Reggie Jackson to play the entire quarter. He showed frustration and disappointed with his teams performance through the first three quarters, and decided to take a loss and back up and go home. The Thunder went on to lose the game by double digits, 109-94.
Thunder Essentials:
Fast Break - Oklahoma City did an excellent job at attacking the Jazz in the break, running it off defensive rebounds and turn overs. Utah has no chance at keeping up with the Thunder, and they need to have another twenty one point outing in the department if they want to grab an easy win tonight.
Interior Defense - Utah has a scary front court in Al Jefferson and Paul Milsap. They managed to score forty two points in the paint last time out, which isn't extreme, but Oklahoma City should try to get this down to the low thirties if they are to have an easier outing against the Jazz.
Play Consistent - Last time out against the Spurs was a perfect example of how the Thunder are, and can be inconsistent. Dominating the first quarter, then just completely disappearing the next quarter isn't a quality you want any team of your liking to possess. Play consistently on both sides of the ball tonight for all four quarters and they'll be just fine.
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