Preview: OKC Thunder begin 5-game homestand vs. Indiana Pacers

The OKC Thunder are coming off one of their most frustrating losses of the season. They return to the Peake with the Pacers on tap and seeking to avenge their last-second loss in Indiana.

When the OKC Thunder walked off the floor inside the Fed Ex Forum, they had suffered their 31st loss of the season. Falling 115-103 to the severely shorthanded Memphis Grizzlies. Head coach Billy Donovan displayed frustration during his customary postgame interview. Rightfully so, after his squad suffered yet another embarrassing defeat.

Donovan has received criticism for the Thunder’s recent struggles. Which is understandable, because no one is without blame for Oklahoma City’s current performance, having lost 11 of their last 16 games.

The game against Memphis reminded me of an infamous quote by TNT analyst and former NBA Champion Kenny Smith. Smith’s quote is a rule of thumb regarding when teams lose; “Seven Points or less it’s the coach, seven points or more it’s the players”.

In eight of Oklahoma City’s 11 losses, the margin of defeat has been greater than seven. Therefore, Coach Donovan does hold some responsibility, but the majority of the onus should be placed upon the players.

The most eye-popping stat from the contest was this; Grizzlies forward Bruno Caboclo scored 24-points on 8-13 shooting. The game marked Caboclo’s fifth 10-plus point outing of the season, three of the games have occurred vs. the Thunder.

Takeaways from the loss:

One baffling aspect to emerge during the contest was backup center Nerlens Noel played a meager three-minutes. Perhaps, his quad flared up on him, but if not he needs more playing time than he was allotted in Memphis.

The lone positive from the match was the fact sixth man Dennis Schroder continued to shine. Schroder posted his fifth consecutive double-digit game and his third 20-point performance in five tries.

Let’s shift attention to the Thunder’s opponent this evening, the Indiana Pacers.