OKC Thunder vs 76ers: 3 Takeaways – Roberson and rookies shine

In the OKC Thunder comeback scrimmage win versus the 76ers, Andre Roberson and the youngsters dominate the takeaways.

Although scrimmage games won’t count toward the OKC Thunder regular-season record they are important to the process. Firstly, these matches allow the team to face an opponent and continue to develop their stamina and rediscover their flow and rhythm. It’s an opportunity to test things the team ran in practice and measure the effectiveness.

It also allows Billy Donovan the chance to test out different lineup combinations and determine which individuals he might want to consider doling out additional playing time for once the seeding games and playoffs begin.

Regardless of the experimental nature of these scrimmages, teams still tend to play to their identities. Such was the case on Sunday.

Although the 76ers pounced on the Thunder building a 24 point lead at one stage the individual quarters were deceiving as Philly won the first quarter by five points and second frame by six points. In the preview T.I. warned of the quick start Philly would make and noted how the Grizzlies had roared back Friday to cut the final tally to three.

Several members of the Thunder core struggled on Sunday. Both Chris Paul and Danilo Gallinari shot 2 of 8, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was 5 of 15 and Dennis Schroder shot 3 of 13.

3 takeaways from comeback win over 76ers

Yet, in the end, both teams played to their identities. The 76ers bench is lacking depth and they’ve struggled on the road – where all the Disney games will be played.

Conversely, the Thunder are a scrappy never quit team who have made a living this season off winning in the clutch. As it turns out they don’t require the ‘Clutch Time Killers’ lineup to accomplish that feat as that mindset permeates throughout the roster.

Instead, it was the last player anyone expected that rose up to put the team on his back — Andre Roberson.