Thunderous Intentions
Fansided

Grading the Oklahoma City Thunder after narrowly beating Melbourne United

By Matthew Hallett

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - OCTOBER 8: Russell Westbrook #0 of the OKC Thunder and Casey Prather #23 of Melbourne United in the first half a NBA preseason game at the Chesapeake Energy Arena on October 8, 2017 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. (Photo by J Pat Carter/Getty Images)
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - OCTOBER 8: Russell Westbrook #0 of the OKC Thunder and Casey Prather #23 of Melbourne United in the first half a NBA preseason game at the Chesapeake Energy Arena on October 8, 2017 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. (Photo by J Pat Carter/Getty Images) /
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OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – OCTOBER 8: Andre Roberson #21 of the OKC Thunder shoots over David Barlow #20 of Melbourne United during the second half of a NBA preseason game at the Chesapeake Energy Arena on October 8, 2017 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. (Photo by J Pat Carter/Getty Images)
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – OCTOBER 8: Andre Roberson #21 of the OKC Thunder shoots over David Barlow #20 of Melbourne United during the second half of a NBA preseason game at the Chesapeake Energy Arena on October 8, 2017 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. (Photo by J Pat Carter/Getty Images) /

The OKC Thunder hosted Melbourne United in a surprisingly close game Sunday afternoon.

For the first time ever, an NBL team was competitive with an NBA squad. The game was physical – Melbourne United did not back down from the Oklahoma City Thunder. The physicality brought on a low scoring game. In what has to be a statistical anomaly, both teams shot 28-81 from the field, equating to 34.6 percent.

Unlike the Sydney Kings/Utah Jazz match up, United was not overawed in the first quarter. They finished the first quarter with a 30-27 lead. The Thunder defense tightened up in the second, holding the plucky Australian side to just 14 points. An evenly balanced 22 points gave the Thunder a 49-44 advantage going into the half.

The second half saw United outscore the Thunder 41-37 in a span that was probably the most intense OKC will face all offseason.

Coach Billy Donovan kept a few starters in through the fourth, finishing the game with a lineup of Steven Adams, Paul George, Josh Huestis, Semaj Christon and Terrance Ferguson. It was good experience for the guys on court who are trying to make the roster, especially Huestis. The 2014 first round pick came up with two huge blocks on the last possession, possibly solidifying his spot in the rotation.

The only true negative from tonight was Raymond Felton going down with a sprained wrist. Billy Donovan did say postgame that he should be fine though.

Let’s get to the grades.

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