Five takeaways from the OKC Thunder win against Utah

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Feb 28, 2017; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Utah Jazz guard Rodney Hood (5) drives to the basket in front of Oklahoma City Thunder guard Alex Abrines (8) during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Alex Abrines can start, but he can’t finish

This game got started with a set play for the Spaniard Sharpshooter and naturally he did not disappoint.

https://twitter.com/okcthunder/status/836746887629766656

Abrines finished with 11 points on 4-4 shooting including 3-3 from deep. He didn’t record any other statistics besides three fouls (including two late but more on that in a bit) but his mere presence on the court altered how the Jazz defended Westbrook and OKC as a whole.

It’s no coincidence that OKC is shooting 46.3% from three since Abrines’ addition to the starting lineup. Okay maybe going 15-22 tonight helped, but their combined 35.5% against the Lakers and Pelicans is still higher than their 32.7% season average.

Related Story: The origin story of Alex Abrines

Obviously Donovan wanted to keep Abrines on the court at the end of the game a la the New Orleans game. The only problem is Utah is a playoff team with weapons at all five positions; Abrines’ defense almost cost OKC the game.

Here’s two of Abrines’ three blunders.

In the first play his defense is okay against Rodney Hood; Hood was able to get off a fairly clean look because of his length. The very next play Utah targets Abrines in the pick & roll with George Hill and Rudy Gobert. The next Utah possession (which isn’t shown), Abrines fouls Hood while he’s shooting a three. That’s seven straight points in 1:05.

I’m the President of Abrines Island and I can’t vouch for him playing in crunch time. And once Victor Oladipo returns he surely won’t be used. Billy Donovan should, however, consider keeping Abrines in the starting lineup.

OKC is now 3-0 with the rookie at the starting two guard spot…why not ride the wave?

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