OKC Thunder: 3 keys to victory vs New Orleans Pelicans
By Mark Nilon
OKC Thunder key No. 2) 3-point efficiency
In our last keys to victory publication, we discussed how it was imperative for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to improve upon his lackluster long-range shooting if the OKC Thunder wishes to contend for a victory.
To his credit, against Utah, the 22-year-old did exactly that, as he converted on a perfect 3-3 shooting from deep. Unfortunately, however, the rest of the team did no follow suit, as the Thunder, as a whole, shot a reletively underwhelming 32 percent from deep.
In today’s day and age, teams tend to live and die by the 3-pointer and, despite their inaccuracy, OKC continued to launch shots from long-range.
Luckily for the team, tonight they are expected to have Al Horford back in the lineup (a career 36 percent shooter from deep) as well as last season’s 3-point percentage leader in George Hill, who missed their previous game with neck spasms.
Their presence should allow OKC to convert from downtown at a higher efficiency and, with this, give them a better chance at getting back to .500. That said, if the team as a collective continue to find themselves struggling from this area of the court, the losses could continue to pile up.