Undermanned OKC Thunder statement victory: 3 takeaways

“Others” step up big in winning effort:

As noted Adams’ injury was a big loss to the team who were already thin up front. The Rockets aren’t huge in the frontcourt but have Clint Capela and PJ Tucker plays much taller than his listed 6’5″ height.

If we’re being completely honest no one would’ve held it against the Thunder had they lost on the road to a team who had all their big guns in the game. So, we should equally celebrate how impressive this victory was.

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Clearly each of the core players was pivotal to the victory. Chris Paul kept the Thunder in the game with 27 first-half points. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander delivered a 13 point, 10 rebound double-double and Danilo Gallinari also posted a 25 points, 13 rebound double-double. Dennis Schroder‘s 23 points were key to the victory. Gallo and Schroder were particularly effective in the fourth quarter scoring 12 and 15 points respectively.

Yet, equally compelling were the areas the undersized and undermanned Thunder won and who in particular chipped in to help in those areas.

The Rockets took advantage of OKC having to use Darius Bazley and Mike Muscala as their centers (and even a few sets with the 6’4″ Deonte Burton playing the five) by scoring 64 points in the paint compared to 44 by the Thunder.

But the Thunder were beasts on the glass outrebounding the Rockets 63 to 54. A testament to the entire group pitching in.

And the efforts of Darius Bazley, Deonte Burton, Lu Dort and yes even Mike Muscala all helped to secure the victory. Hustle areas, in particular, are noteworthy with the Thunder winning the steals battle (eight to six) and holding their own in blocks (six to seven).

https://twitter.com/okcthunder/status/1219409908451495936

Each of the others outside the core four made valuable contributions. Dort provided key defense on Harden with both his rebounds coming on the offensive glass. Bazley grabbed five rebounds, a steal, and a block.

Burton held his own defensively, added energy and also grabbed a steal, a block and can we talk about that dunk! And Muscala pitched in with three rebounds and two key blocks.

The adage of “next man up” was applicable on this day and each of the others stepped up to the challenge.

This truly was a team effort and again will rank as a statement victory for the club. The Thunder are back in action Wednesday in Orlando facing the Magic for the final time this season.