Oklahoma City Thunder
Offense: (107.0) 20th
Defense: (106.8) 13th
Net: (plus +0.2) 15th
Games Week 8: (1-2) Won vs. Jazz, lost to Kings, Nuggets
Games Week 9 (4 games): Mon. vs. Bulls | Weds. vs Grizzlies | Fri. vs. Suns | Sun. vs. Clippers
A huge win in Utah where the OKC Thunder squad looked like the much more well-rounded club. Winning in Utah is never easy but that was a complete and thorough victory especially considering it came on the second night of a back to back set.
The unfortunate one-point loss in Sacramento is something the Thunder might rue down the road. For the moment OKC are firmly in the mix for those bottom two playoff seeds among the chase pack which includes the Kings (who just got back Marvin Bagley and De’Aaron Fox), Suns (who just got back Deandre Ayton), Pops Spurs, Wolves, underachieving/injury-riddled Blazers and even the Grizzlies though less likely.
The math is simple two clubs will get the spots and four will attend the lottery. Since the Thunder survived the gawdy early schedule seeded in their current structure they have good odds to keep the seed.
The other side of that equation is what happens now that teams will turn their attention to trades (given the onslaught of players who became eligible as of Sunday, December 15th). Mr. Consistent – Danilo Gallinari didn’t live up to that moniker last week and the results were palpable. Which begs the question if Sam Presti trades him then how will his departure affect the team’s offense and subsequently their chances?
As outlined in TI’s recent article the games OKC plays between now and the deadline could prove pivotal. To that end, week nine serves up three sub .500 clubs and only one elite team.