OKC Thunder squanter lead but hang on for win in Chicago- grades

Not every game is going to produce big scores, defensive efforts or grades. Perhaps this night showcased Lu Dort for what he is — a rookie. Since the youngster can’t practice with the team it makes it difficult for him. But, then factor in it’s a road game where young players often struggle to provide the same effort they do at home.

Call it a psychological factor – or whatever. It simply wasn’t his best game. Dort wasn’t terrible, he just wasn’t as aggressive offensively and the shutdown defense Thunder Nation has become accustomed to wasn’t on display.

A mixed bag from  Danilo Gallinari tonight. His five 3-pointers were largely responsible for the team’s early lead. But he finished the night 5 of 10 from deep meaning he missed all his attempts outside the opening frame.

It’s not fair to punish him for still collecting 24 points and giving his team the lead. Plus it was his dunk that put the team back on top late in the match.

Perhaps the takeaway is for Donovan to find a way to incorporate Gallo more in the late game scenarios.

Steven Adams continues to showcase how much better he can perform when healthy. He produced on this night in different ways than he typically does. For one he scored 16 points and came up just short of the double-double with nine rebounds.

Where his night excelled was his defensive chops as he snared three steals and three blocks. With so many of the Bulls bigs out the Thunder capitalized using the Big Kiwi as much as possible.

Like Paul, Adams leadership is invaluable and if it weren’t for the 24 point lead that got erased his score would be slightly higher