3 takeaways following OKC Thunder victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers

Stagnant Offense

Oklahoma City were fortunate to play the worst team in the NBA who was short on bodies and in the midst of a full rebuild because OKC barely moved the rock. The Thunder registered just 10 assists in 48 minutes with PG13, Steven Adams, Terrance Ferguson and Raymond Felton producing two assists each. If there was one criticism with Schroder tonight it was that he failed to produce a single assist in 34 minutes of action.

The Thunder are worst passing team in the NBA, averaging a meager 228.5 passes while generating 21.2 assists per game (26th). OKC stayed true to its passing averages, completing just 228 passes for the game but only managed 10 helpers of Oklahoma City’s 35 made baskets. To put things in perspective, Cleveland made 255 passes and generated 17 assists.

Aside from the extremely low assist total, the Thunder produced just two hockey assists or secondary assists the entire night, electing to take tough shots over opponents or take them off the dribble.

Instead of taking these kinds of shots:

Or this:

OKC wanted wanted a difficult isolation drive to the cup

or an Abrines triple with a hand in his face:

While these shots were made against Cleveland, they are low percentage plays which went down against the leagues worst defense. Against the Utah Jazz‘s and Golden State‘s of the world, these jumpers are more likely to miss.

OKC must do a better job of generating open looks and move the rock instead of electing for difficult isolation basketball.