Three takeaways from OKC Thunder huge win over Rockets

What in the Dotations?

Okay, that does not work as well as the clever “spotations” that Miami Heat fans refer to Erik Spoelstra. But let’s talk about Billy Donovan’s rotations.

Let’s start with his use of Raymond Felton. Donovan played Felton 10 minutes, but it felt like a lot longer with his tandem backcourt mate Dennis Schroder.

Felton “only” played ten minutes, and he was fine, but this is not a matchup for him. The Houston Rockets are so fast and have such an ability to force teams to chase them and switch matchups with every dribble practically. Felton is just not the guy you want of the defensive end. Felton was not even good on the offensive end, he hit a three, and that was it.

Terrance Ferguson only got 25 minutes last night, in a playoff game for all intents and purposes. For reference, Schroder earned more minutes than him. Jerami Grant played ten more minutes than him. Ferguson was stellar on the defensive end and made a ton of good offensive plays. Donovan needs to play him at the same rate he plays the rest of his starters. Ferguson spent ten more minutes on the bench than Jerami Grant…takeaway Felton’s useless ten minutes and just like that Ferguson is playing at the same rate as the starters which he deserves.

Markieff Morris got 12 minutes of run in Tuesday night’s game, and he was fine. He was actually fine on both ends. So this is not as much of a maddening move to me as the Raymond Felton decision. I just feel like Grant provides more of a spark, and Grant can comfortable defend the 1-5 spots on the floor. Last year in the playoffs he was the OKC Thunder back up center!