Five stats that correlate with Thunder wins/losses

We all know the OKC Thunder usually win when Russell Westbrook records a triple-double. What other stats tend to indicate when the Thunder either win or lose?

I-like most fans-tend to guess the score of every Thunder game prior to tipoff. I have yet to get a game exactly right this season, and I’m relatively awful at guessing wins and losses. But once the game starts? Give me one quarter and I can tell you the outcome fairly accurately.

A lot of that has to do with the makeup of this team. They are young and inconsistent, led by one of the most mind-boggling superstars in the league. They are offensively inept at times, due to a roster with serious shooting issues. Those things can vary from quarter-to-quarter.

What doesn’t vary (usually) is the style in which Oklahoma City plays from night-to-night. Sometimes we get the games where Russell Westbrook takes 30 shots. Other nights Steven Adams is a primary focus of the offense.

The inability to stick to one strategy is frustrating on a performance basis. At the same time, it’s beautiful to watch the maturation process.

OKC’s biggest problems (poor shooting, lack of defensive communication, etc.) can’t be fixed in-game. The good news is that there is a clear identity in place. When the Thunder play a certain way they win. And when they play the exact opposite, they lose.

But what exactly should Billy Donovan and the coaching staff be focused on? These five stats do a good job of explaining where the Thunder’s biggest strengths are, and what aspects of the game they should be focusing less on.