OKC Thunder players cite focus and home comfort as reasons to believe

Following practice, several OKC Thunder players spoke of the need to be more focused, make minor tweaks and the obvious – slow down Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum.

With the OKC Thunder down 0-2 in the series they’ll tip off in as close to a must win scenario as it gets this evening. The squad definitely plays better at home and for Thunder Nation, the hope is Damian Lillard (and CJ McCollum) won’t continue hitting shots well above their season averages.

Following practice, several OKC Thunder players spoke to the media offering hints of what to expect.

Steven Adams:

The big man was the most outspoken in terms of being upset with his performance:

“I don’t know we seem pretty focused, I think. Myself, I feel a bit (NSFW wording) just a bit p*ssed off, you know. That’s just me personally, you know. Obviously, it ain’t over. Just get a bit more fired up sort of thing. Not too fired up it’s more just about staying focused on what is going to help us win the games. There’s a level of emotion you’ve got to play with you can’t be too emotional and forget what you’ve really got to do.” per Steven Adams

Terrance Ferguson, Paul George weigh in:

Second year shooting guard Terrance Ferguson noted the practice session refocused the plan to stay locked in on Lillard and McCollum. Ferguson notes the emphasis will be on keeping a hand in the Portland backcourt snipers faces, not to give them any space and force ‘the others’ on the Blazers to have to make plays.

Certainly, this strategy makes sense, but executing it will be the difference in a win or a loss.  A positive which can be gleaned from earlier games is Lillard and McCollum aren’t nearly as efficient on the road and one would presume (or at least hope) they can’t keep hitting shots at the ridiculously efficient level they have been. Even if the Thunder can manage to slow one of the duo down they’ll be more competitive. Likewise, for as much as the Thunder have been atrocious from virtually every single spot on the floor it would make sense they regress closer to the mean and start connecting on some shots.

Home sweet home:

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Generally, players tend to shoot better at home, so let’s hope that tendency holds true tonight. Reflecting back to how close Game 1 was if the Thunder ‘others’ connect on just one perimeter shot the final score leans in their favor. Terrance Ferguson, Jerami Grant, Dennis Schroder, and even Markieff Morris will need to contribute to easing some pressure off Paul George and Russell Westbrook having to do everything.

More importantly, if this group starts connecting on some shots it will open up the court and driving lanes for the stars who’ll then be able to help the Thunder offense flow more smoothly.

Based on the comments made by Ferguson, George and Adams it would seem the OKC Thunder will be aggressive from the tip. All season the Thunder were at their best on both sides of the hardwood when their defense was functioning. In that scenario, OKC gets out quickly in transition and create easy buckets. (note: full Game 3 preview below).

To this point, there hasn’t been any mention of changes or tweaks to the rotation but you have to wonder if Billy Donovan would take a shot at giving Patrick Patterson some minutes on the court or perhaps taps youngsters Abdel Nader or Deonte Burton to add some more speed and scoring options into the mix.