MEMPHIS – The seconds ticked away on the shot clock during a defensive possession, and steadily the Thunder players on the bench began to rise from their seats.
Nick Collison squared up against a smaller, quicker ball handler but forced him to move the ball to a teammate. Andre Roberson was ready, forcing his man to dribble out the clock until he had to chuck a desperation shot. The Thunder bench erupted with cheers. It was just one defensive stop in a 94-78 preseason loss to the Memphis Grizzlies, but the game was filled with small plays like that one that show a continued development as a group.
It was tight during the initial minutes of this one, but a 16-2 burst by Memphis mid-way through the first quarter built a Grizzlies buffer that the Thunder couldn’t bring down below double-digits the rest of the way. Early turnovers – and 19 total - made getting in a rhythm difficult, and good shots simply didn’t fall throughout the evening for the Thunder.
“It was a high number of turnovers,” Donovan said. “We did a better job in the second half of taking care of the basketball. We had some fairly decent looks and good opportunities off ball movement and had a difficult night shooting the basketball.”
“We have to have a better awareness and care with the basketball,” Donovan explained. “You can have really good momentum in a game and then a turnover here and a turnover there and the next thing you know it can change the momentum in a game.”
On the other end of the floor the Thunder defended fairly well, particularly in the second half, but was out-rebounded by ten for the night.
“Defensively, number-wise we weren’t bad,” Donovan said. “The thing that was disappointing was that our protection around the basket was not great. We gave up too many points in the paint.”
With dynamic two-way starters Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and Serge Ibaka all sitting for rest and Enes Kanter healing from a sprained ankle, there was an opportunity for a variety of players to see extended minutes. As Donovan and his staff continue to install their offensive and defensive schemes, it is important for reserves to get reps in game situations.
D.J. Augustin and Memphis native Cameron Payne became the primary distributors at the point guard position, combining to make nine assists in addition to 18 points, with Payne scoring 11. Wing players like Kyle Singler, Josh Huestis and Steve Novak got extended minutes, which will be good for their pace and tempo heading into the year. Anthony Morrow led the team in scoring with 16 points, Steven Adams added 15 and seven rebounds and Dion Waiters scored eight to lead the Thunder in the box score.
As a part of the learning and growing process, the ability to go out on the floor, play freely and put play on tape is important moving forward. Back on the floor and in the film room at the INTEGRIS Thunder Development Center, there will be plenty of positives to expand upon in addition to areas that the team must correct in the next week-and-a-half days before the regular season begins.
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By the Numbers
4 - Three-pointers made by Anthony Morrow, as he totaled 16 points in 25 minutes
5 - Assists for Dion Waiters on the night, in addition to eight points, six rebounds and three steals
7 - Rebounds for Andre Roberson, including five in the first six minutes of the game alone
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The Last Word
“Tomorrow we’re going to go and watch film on the game, figure out the things we need to work on and then the next time we have practice we’re going to work on them. We just have to keep working hard in practice and it shows in the game.” – guard Cameron Payne