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OKC Thunder get their statement victory taking down 76ers in OT – 3 takeaways

By Tamberlyn Richardson

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the OKC Thunder dunks the ball against the Philadelphia 76ers on November 15 (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images)
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the OKC Thunder dunks the ball against the Philadelphia 76ers on November 15 (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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OKC Thunder Head Coach Billy Donovan speaks with Darius Bazley during a game against the Philadelphia 76ers on November 15, 2019 (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Both the team and coaching staff brought their ‘A’ Game:

You might want to mark this down in the ‘once in a blue moon’ category since it’s not often your truly offers positive thoughts on Billy Donovan. But, credit, where credit is due, as this victory doesn’t just belong to the players.

Billy D’s game plan was perfectly executed and it translated into the win. Knowing the 76ers like to get out in transition the Thunder consistently got back and slowed Philly rarely allowing them to get out in the fast break.

Coming into the match the 76ers length and athleticism translated into several top 10 rankings in key categories. Among those:

  • Points off turnovers: Seventh (19.2)
  • Second chance scoring: 10th (14.1)
  • Opponent second chance scoring: First (9.2)
  • Points in the paint scoring: Seventh (52.2)
  • Field Goal Percentage: Eighth
  • 2-Point (attempts/makes/percentage): Sixth, Eighth and Ninth respectively
  • Offensive rebounds/defensive rebounds/total rebounds: Eighth, Sixth, Fifth respectively
  • Assists: Sixth (25.6)
  • Steals: Third (9.4)
  • Blocks: Ninth

Notably, some of the 76ers rankings dropped following the match given how well the OKC Thunder played them.

Recognizing the 76ers entered the match struggling from the perimeter Donovan adjusted his squad to be cognizant of the paint. As it is OKC are among the better perimeter defenders so with their length and athleticism Billy D likely figured the players could close out but the initial defensive efforts were focused on transition defense and protecting the paint.

Both clubs shot well above their seasonal 3-point averages in both cases the 3-ball kept the squads in the match although there was one highlight that came at the rim…

If there was one big difference in the match it was the trips to the line as the Thunder took almost double the attempts (41 versus 22) and shot 8.6 percent better than their average.

Overall OKC was successful as they scored two more paint points (52 to 50) as well as two additional fast break points (10 to 8). The Thunder won the energy plays collecting more steals (7 to 6) and didn’t allow Philly to block their shots while they blocked three.

Philly is an excellent rebounding team with its length being difficult to manage. And while the 76ers won the glass (52 to 41) the Thunder crashed the boards and won some key rebounds at timely points in the game.

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