Preview: OKC Thunder seek to even series vs. Blazers after historically poor shooting
By Alex Mcewen
In Game 1, the OKC Thunder shot at a historically low mark from the perimeter. Shifting to Game 2 the team aims to even the series in Rip City.
After setting the franchise record for the most made triples in the regular season finale, the OKC Thunder set the all-time playoff record for the worst 3-point percentage (minimum of 30 attempts) at 15.2 percent. Furthermore, Oklahoma City provided only the 10th instance in playoff history that a team failed to eclipse 20 percent when launching 30 plus treys.
Overall, the Thunder committed three fatal blunders in Game 1. Foremost, they gave up a staggering 39-points in the opening quarter, it appeared the Thunder were unprepared to play, the Blazers got anything and everything they desired in the opening period.
The Thunder's 15.2% from three was the worst 3-point percentage in NBA playoff history when attempting 30 or more treys.
— Alex Mcewen (@eflame_717) April 14, 2019
The first quarter struggles were nothing new, as the team was outscored by six points overall in the regular season, in all other quarters, OKC outscored the opposition by 65 or more. The Thunder must establish their presence early, in Game 2, or they run the risk of trying to climb a mountain for the full 48 minutes in two straight games.
Their second blunder occurred when Westbrook committed a frustration foul after the whistle did not go his way on the offensive end. Russ’ foul was reckless and immature. his running mate Paul George clearly did not have it going thanks to his dead shoulder, yet Westbrook committed the selfish foul anyway.
This Westbrook habit of not getting a call and then committing a foul immediately afterward just has to go. Nobody else does this, and he just picked up his 4th foul.
— Nate Duncan (@NateDuncanNBA) April 14, 2019
OKC’s third and final mistake was the biggest of them all; with 39 seconds remaining, Westbrook hauled in the board, then mishandled the ball, Steven Adams recovered quickly, but then lost the ball himself, resulting in a made Blazers basket.
There is absolutely no reason why the Thunder did not call a timeout. The onus is not on Adams there were four other players, plus Billy Donovan who could have called for time. SA’s teammates and more importantly coach Donovan must be more aware in those situations moving forward in the series. Or, the Thunder will be in jeopardy, heading towards another quick exit.