OKC Thunder win easy for a change- 3 takeaways

OKC Thunder defeats Phoenix Suns to claim three wins in a row. Three takeaways offer insights on the victory.

After two comeback victories, the OKC Thunder found a way to net the same result without needing to claw their way back into the match. Three takeaways provide the toplines from the 126-108 victory over the Phoenix Suns.

Back to .500:

With their third win in as many games, the Thunder moved to .500 on the season. That the win came versus a Northwest Division rival isn’t as relevant as the fact this Phoenix team is among those in the chase pack to capture one of the bottom two playoff seeds in the West.

After getting out to a hot start this year the Suns experienced some health issues the past few weeks. Despite the mounting losses they’ve looked better than their record positions them and with Deandre Ayton back in the mix the thinking was Phoenix could go on a run again. But, just as Devin Booker returned to the court Ayton was back out after a single appearance having tweaked his ankle in the Clippers game.

The resulting effect of the victory for the OKC Thunder finds them firmly in seventh with their closest rival (the Portland Trail Blazer) a game and a half back. Conversely, the loss dropped the Suns to 11th and a full three games behind.

Fixing bad habits:

In losses this season inevitably the OKC Thunder fails to win the first and third quarters. In fact, those two frames have been the root of many of the team’s issues this season. Although the Thunder is in the battle at the end more often than not their issues with bringing energy to start games and out of the break have made their jobs more difficult.

The last two games were wins but required major efforts to come back from being down over 20 points in both outings. Not only does this take a toll on the club in the specific game but can serve as wear and tear over the season as the players are constantly in the situation of having to take things up an extra gear.

Fortunately, in both those frames in this match the Thunder elected to bring energy winning both frames. Although the 41 points allowed in the third isn’t ideal they scored 44 (a franchise record for scoring in the third quarter) to stay in front.

Moving forward, hopefully, the players will recognize how much easier it is for them to bring consistent effort through every quarter instead of forcing themselves into the scenarios of needing to go to the energy well for surges in games.

Chemistry class:

More from Thunderous Intentions

This outing showcased the best of the Thunder and highlighted how in sync the team is. Their comfort level on the hardwood is clear. Obviously winning makes their flow more noticeable, but it’s more than that. All those clutch time games have afforded the team an opportunity to trust each other and battle for each other. That trust level is apparent and again, in an outing where they brought energy to start the first and third it stood out like a flashing neon light.

Each of the players clearly knows their role and that led to everyone performing well. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had a few games where he was struggling but on this night he produced a career-high 32 points and the fanbase was reminded of his smooth, easy movement and his full repertoire was on display.

This group truly does appear to like each other and after all those clutch time games that netted a loss the tide has shifted with easier opponents on the itinerary and an opportunity to take advantage of them.

Unfortunately, this run of easier opponents comes to an end as Sunday the LA Clippers and the man responsible for the shift in the franchise makes his first appearance since demanding a trade.

Next. Thunder run past the Suns in the second half – Grades. dark

The OKC Thunder will be huge underdogs — then again that’s just how they like to be viewed.

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