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Oklahoma City Thunder: Five Positives from Houston Heart-Breaker

By Tony Heim

Dec 9, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) reacts after a play against the Houston Rockets during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 9, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) reacts after a play against the Houston Rockets during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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4. The Thunder defense played really well

Only giving up 102 points to the Houston Rockets is an accomplishment. Especially when you look at the numbers.

Dec 9, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Houston Rockets center Nene Hilario (42) and Oklahoma City Thunder forward Andre Roberson (21) dive for a loose ball during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 9, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Houston Rockets center Nene Hilario (42) and Oklahoma City Thunder forward Andre Roberson (21) dive for a loose ball during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

The Rockets average a tick under 112 points per game while shooting 46.6% from the field and 37% from deep. Last night? The Thunder held Houston to 39% from the field and 26.2% from deep. And the aforementioned 102 points.

This all started with Andre Roberson. Roberson shut down James Harden for the second time this season; Harden finished with 21 points on 23 shots and turned the ball over eight times. The Rockets may have scored 33 points off the long-ball, but it took them 42 attempts to get there.

The defensive rotations were crisp, and there was always a hand in a shooter’s face. We’ve mentioned Jerami Grant already, but there’s a reason Houston only scored 16 points in the fourth quarter. Oklahoma City showed the rest of the NBA that it takes sheer quickness and communication to slow down the high-powered Houston offense.

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