OKC Thunder: Even series with Game 4 comeback- 3 takeaways

Donovan keys are paying dividends

If you’ve caught any of the post-practice or post-game media sessions of Billy Donovan you might find one session blurring into the next. That’s because the bench boss has been quite clear about the topline chalkboard items for his team.

While the Thunder has several quality players they don’t possess a top 10 superstar which means they have to accomplish their goals as a team. As such Donovan has emphasized how important not fouling is. OKC can’t afford to send opponents to the line for free points, especially not James Harden who led the league in free throws per game.

Another Donovan key is protecting the ball – again the team can’t afford to cough up turnovers and have to overcome those free points.

The offensive rule Donovan has stuck to throughout the bubble is the need to move the ball with pace and tempo and maintain spacing.

The Thunder accomplished most of Donovan’s keys in the win on Monday.

• Shot 28 free throws to the Rockets 10
• They didn’t protect the ball as well as Donovan would want but they kept the turnovers even and didn’t get buried on points scored off them
• Since Game 3 the Thunder are moving the ball better and using much better spacing which was specifically reflected by their 48.8 percent field goal average. They began the game on fire and closed with equal strength.