Five takeaways from the Thunder’s loss in Milwaukee

Jan 2, 2017; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Tony Snell (21) drives for the basket during the first quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 2, 2017; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Tony Snell (21) drives for the basket during the first quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /
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1. The Thunder need to control the pace to win

Jan 2, 2017; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) drives for a shot during the first quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 2, 2017; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) drives for a shot during the first quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /

When Russell Westbrook is the focal point of your offense, it’s best to get out in transition. The Thunder are ninth in the league with a PACE of 99.95 and they average 85.9 field goals per game, good for 12th in the league.

But in their last six losses, the team only averages 81.5 attempts. When Oklahoma City is forced to slow it down and run offensive sets, it allows the opponents to set up their defense. Instead of opening up the floor in transition, teams can pack the paint and force Russ to shoot jumpers. And that’s what happened tonight.

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The Thunder attempted 78 shots, 28 coming from Westbrook. Only seven of his attempts came inside the paint; there’s a reason why he only recorded six assists. The Bucks essentially copied the Grizzlies defensive gameplan by constantly pulling two defenders back, stopping any sort of Westbrook transition.

Russ got frustrated by the third quarter (just like Memphis); this time instead of getting thrown out he started chucking up anything and everything. If team’s are going to play the Thunder like the Bucks/Grizzlies, Billy Donovan has to implement more offensive sets. Especially for Victor Oladipo.

Until Russ gets pressure taken off his shoulders, the Thunder will be stuck in the 5-7 range in the Western Conference. Of all five takeaways, that’s the most important one.