Three takeaways after OKC Thunder pound the Utah Jazz 122-113

Lack of distribution

Without a doubt, Dennis Schroder is a key piece to the Thunder’s Championship hopes. He has provided the scoring spark the second unit have needed since the departure of James Harden and has certainly exceeded expectations since his arrival to the Mid-West.

However, the point guard suffers from severe bouts of tunnel vision.

The German possesses natural point guard skills but at times seeks his own shot over playing team basketball and one player frustrated by this is big man Nerlens Noel. The 25-year old is an exceptional athlete whose game is developing rapidly since since with the Thunder last July. Noel’s confidence in his jumper is growing at the rate of knots.

In the play below, the big man hits a nice fade-away shot just inside the free throw line.

In previous performances, Noel is stepping out further into the mid-range and he’s connecting ona  healthy percentage of shots when given the chance. He’s just not receiving them enough when he and Schroder set foot on the court together.

Growing tension in the fourth quarter

When Utah cut OKC’s lead to 15 on the back of a 14-3 run, there appeared to be growing tensions between Noel and Schroder. Too often would the diminutive point guard come off screens and ignore the big man diving to the hoop. Noel began to disengage on both ends of the floor and Utah were getting anything they wanted.

Billy Donovan recognized this and immediately checked Westbrook checked back in.

As soon as this happened, Noel touched the ball on three of the next four possessions which included a put-back dunk and this silky smooth jumper from the elbow.

Immediately after these plays, Russ turned to Schroder encouraging him to use the big man. With Noel now re-engaged, he came up with this glorious block on Utah guard Dante Exum.

This was a tremendous learning experience for the German and one I am sure he will use in the games ahead.