Preview: OKC Thunder begin 5-game homestand vs. Indiana Pacers
By Alex Mcewen
Keep the Rock Moving
The Thunder are not a good passing team. They never have been, and likely never will be, at least as currently constructed. This year the Thunder registered 30 or more assists in eight contests. That is the most ever in a single season for the franchise. In those eight games the Thunder are 5-3.
Conversely, when Oklahoma City dishes 19 or fewer assists, their record is 9-10. Currently, the Thunder offense has gone particularly stagnant because player and ball movement has further declined. Partly due to, Westbrook’s assist numbers regressing post-All-Star break.
Before the break, Westbrook was averaging 11.2 assists per match. Following the annual hiatus, his average has dipped to 7.9. In order for the Thunder to get back in the win column Westbrook may need to increase his playmaking, but his teammates also need to hit the shots
Bring Effort
During each home game inside the Peake on-court emcee, Malcolm Tubbs urges the crowd to “Bring Your Thunder”. The squad wearing OKC Thunder jersey’s must bring their effort this evening.
In the previous outing, Memphis went on two separate 9-0 runs, one to begin each half. Combining the runs together, the Thunder allowed the Grizzlies to go on an 18-0 run. OKC cannot survive an extended run of stagnation inside the Peake tonight. Hence, they must lose their lackadaisical mindset, by executing a complete offensive and defensive gameplan for 48-minutes.
Nonetheless, it remains to be seen whether or not the Thunder are capable of accomplishing such a daunting task.