On Sunday night, the Thunder showed that it can address problems mid-game and correct them. It also showed that with the talent it has on offense, that it can be explosive when it plays together.
In a 122-112 home win over the Denver Nuggets, Head Coach Billy Donovan’s club roared back from an 11-point deficit with a massive 38 point third-quarter and a clamp-down effort in the fourth quarter defensively. On offense, the Thunder moved the ball with precision, racking up 27 assists and moving to 8-1 on the season when registering at least 25 helpers.
On defense, it allowed the Nuggets to grab 16 offensive rebounds in the first three quarters, but limited Denver to just one in the fourth quarter, while also forcing its opponents into 8-for-20 shooting in the final frame.
“We shared the basketball and moved the basketball,” Donovan said. “Our guys, as the game wore on, started to do a better job of limiting them to one shot, rebounding the basketball and not giving up second chance points.”
Durant was the catalyst in the third quarter, compiling 12 points, three rebounds and seven assists in the period to help flip the game on its head. In the second half, Durant had success driving right, using the glass to keep the scoreboard moving. For the night, he finished with 16 points on 11-for-21 shooting to go with ten assists and five rebounds.
“I was aggressive trying to score and make plays,” Durant said. “When I’m aggressive that sets the tone for us.”
Durant and Russell Westbrook became the NBA teammates since 1996 to both record 25 points and 10 assists in the same game, and it was the Thunder point guards patented speed and aggression that spurred the Thunder to easy buckets.
During a first quarter spurt the Thunder scored on fast breaks on four straight possessions, with Westbrook sprinting up court and encouraging his teammates to run with him. That seemed to set the tone for the entire night, as the Thunder racked up 22 fast break points.
“It’s important to get up the floor,” Westbrook said. “The slower we play the easier it is for teams to guard us. Tonight we did a better job getting the ball across half court.”
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Kanter and Ibaka Dominate at the Rim
It was a combination of thunder and lightning for the Thunder’s big men in this game, as the team racked up 58 points in the paint on 34-for-53 (64.1 percent) shooting in the paint, and 72.2 percent shooting in the restricted area. It starting with the lightning - Serge Ibaka – who scored 11 points on 5-for-5 shooting in the first quarter alone, finishing with 19 points four rebounds and three blocks on the night. He raced down court alongside Westbrook, who racked up three assists to help Ibaka rattle off seven straight points in transition.
“We always tell Serge that he’s one of the most athletic bigs in the league. He can beat any big down the court,” Durant said. “We expect him to play at a high level. He played well on both ends of the court. He made shots and he was vocal. That’s the Serge we need every night.”
Later in the game, it was the power, or thunder, of Enes Kanter who helped wear down the Nuggets, leading to the Thunder’s 69-51 scoring edge in the second half. By playing physically in the lane, Kanter drew three fouls on Denver big men in the first six minutes of the fourth quarter, including one on an and-one dunk that sent shockwaves through the Thunder lineup. Kanter finished with 21 points on 7-for-8 shooting off the bench, to go with eight rebounds.
“When we move the ball like that guys feed off that and make big plays,” Durant said. “Enes was getting the ball all night off of dump offs and he did a good job of passing out of the post and re-posting and getting fouled.”
“He did a great job of coming in and being aggressive, being strong down in the paint and causing problems for them,” Westbrook said. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Payne Gave the Thunder a Spark
He’s been working hard all season long, both in practice and in appearances with the Oklahoma City Blue, while showing flashes of his ability in late-game playing time. Tonight, Donovan gave Cameron Payne a chance in the rotation due to matchups and player combinations, and the rookie point guard gave the Thunder a spark.
“He gave us a good punch,” Durant said of Payne. “He was good on the ball defensively. He was knocking down open shots. He played with enthusiasm and passion. He was quick pushing the ball up the court and made the right plays. I’m proud of him. He works his tail off.”
In the second quarter it was two quick assists to Kanter that energized the team, and in the second half he chipped in two huge corner 3-pointers that helped the Thunder turn the tide. As Donovan and the staff continue to work through lineups, rotations and combinations, Payne, just like all 14 of his teammates, will have to be prepared for potential minutes.
“He’s going to learn and learn every game,” Westbrook said of the rookie. “Tonight he was ready. You always have to be ready. You never know when you’re number is going to be called.”
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By the Numbers
22-12 – The Thunder’s advantage in fast break points on the night
25 & 10 – Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook became the first pair of NBA teammates to score 25 points and register 10 assists apiece in the same game since 1996
57.8 – Shooting percentage for the Thunder on the night, including an 8-for-15 mark from the 3-point line- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
The Last Word
“I thought our effort was very good. I thought they competed very hard. Hopefully breaking down the tape and showing it to them, we can look and find areas we need to get better at.” – Head Coach Billy Donovan