OKC Thunder player grades – OKC enters break on a high note!

Best OKC Thunder reserve performance:

Moose was due to have one of these breakout performances. With Al Horford resting on the second game of a  back-to-back set and George Hill still nursing that sore thumb Mike Muscala was quite literally the only Thunder veteran available for Mark Daigneault.

He delivered as he frequently has this season, producing 18 points on an efficient 7 of 13 from the field (4 of 7 from deep), adding seven rebounds (two offensive boards) and a block. He was also the only reserve who posted a positive plus/minus (+6).

On a night when the Spurs bench outscored the Thunder 40 to 29, those 18 points kept the Thunder afloat when both Shai and Lu were off the court resting.

Honorable mention: Kenrich Williams also gets the hat tip here because he was imperative to the defensive effort down the stretch. He has an uncanny ability to cut and dive whenever the offense has the potential to go stagnant and opponents always seem to miss him. That’s partially the opponent focusing on Shai and the other primary scorers but it’s also Williams’ effort and intelligence.

Best opponent performance:

If you caught the 3 key to the OKC Thunder preview you’ll know DeMar DeRozan was the player Intentions expected to be focused and leading the Spurs. Also– did you watch his feet? Those moves discussed in the preview were on display a few times in this match.

DeeBo scored almost exclusively when Dort wasn’t guarding him (as note earlier) and while he did score on Lu none of the points came easy (as noted he took 21 shots to amass 20 points).

The veteran guard is putting up career-best assists (7.2) and is the calming force on the Spurs. Kudos to Daigneault for having his crew prepared as many of the turnovers were accomplished cutting off passing lanes as DeMar’s teammates looked to get him the ball.

DeRozan finished with 20 points, six rebounds, and four assists.

Honorable mention: Trey Lyles (yet another Canadian) collected a double-double of15 points and 10 rebounds but scored only two points in the final quarter whereas DeRozan scored six and was the main playmaker (but his teammates weren’t hitting the open shots). I’m also extremely impressed with Keldon Johnson and could see him morphing into the next Kawhi prototype for Pops (but with a better long-range game).

In closing:

More from Thunderous Intentions

• Stealing one player from every Southwest Division team for the OKC Thunder
• Should the OKC Thunder chase after a disgruntled hometown hero?
• 3 OKC Thunder players who can step up in Aleksej Pokusevski’s absence
• Aleksej Pokusevski sidelined approximately 6 weeks with ankle injury
• Damian Lillard does not fit with the OKC Thunder

It was OKC’s ninth road win and they accomplished the victory by getting the Spurs to do uncharacteristic things. San Antonio as Intentions noted in the 3 keys pregame turn the ball over the least (11.0 per game). Yet, the Thunder forced 19 turnovers leading to 26 points.

Additionally, the Thunder played aggressive offense and got the Spurs to foul. That’s something else San Antonio doesn’t typically do as they commit the second-fewest fouls in the NBA. It resulted in the Thunder winning the free throw battle 26 to 12. OKC also won points in paint scoring 50 to 44.

Although SGA’s record-setting evening and the clutch time Lu bucket last week was exciting, this win felt more complete and one that the young crew will draw from in the future.

It’s broken record time — but the future is very, very bright!

You can view the full box score here.

The OKC Thunder are headed off for the break and will return to the court on March 11th, when they host the Dallas Mavericks.

Stick with Intentions through the break as the team serves up first-half insights, what to expect in the second half, and narrows our focus on the trade deadline.