The OKC Thunder continue to search for their first win this season as they face off with the 1-4 Suns. Game day previews the match.
With great expectations this season, a 0-4 start for the OKC Thunder is a shock to the system. Despite butchering a 16-point lead in the 101-95 loss to the Boston Celtics,at least Oklahoma City showed signs of defensive improvement.
Aside from a 40 point third quarter in which Boston shot a scorching 9-14 from the perimeter, OKC held the Celtics to 38.4 percent shooting overall and 34.4 percent from beyond the arc. Communication and sound rotations made Boston work for their points. If it weren’t for Al Horford‘s three straight triples in 60 seconds, OKC were on track to record its first win.
The same cannot be said for OKC’s offense. For the fourth straight game, the Thunder shot a putrid 39.4 percent from the field and an ugly 25 percent from deep. Oklahoma City’s two superstars Paul George and Russell Westbrook combined for 35 points but on 42 shots (12-42 from the field and 2-15 from three).
OKC’s second unit performed exceptionally well with strong performances coming from Patrick Patterson, Hamidou Diallo and Alex Abrines. However, it wasn’t enough as OKC fell short in the final moments for the fourth quarter.
Phoenix enter the contest on the back of a 117-96 drubbing by the Memphis Grizzlies. First overall pick DeAndre Ayton impressed with his 24 point, eight rebound and five assist performance but the Suns struggled outside the young rookie. Despite shooting a solid 46.2 percent from the field, Phoenix connected on just 27.3 percent of shots beyond the arc. In absence of star guard Devin Booker, the Suns offense is sub par at best.
With Phoenix on the second night of a back to back and Booker set to miss the encounter, Oklahoma City must take advantage. Lets take a look at what OKC must do to get the job done.