OKC Thunder versus Spurs – Battle of two developing clubs

Key Stats:

Both clubs are in a rebuilding and development stage although the Spurs are ahead of OKC since a good portion of their core has been with Gregg Popovich for two to four years.

In the big three categories, the Spurs rank 18th offensively (105.8), 11th defensively (104.5), and tied for 13th in net differential (+1.3).

In comparison, the OKC Thunder ranks 29th offensively (98.0), 23rd defensively (108.9), and 29th in net differential (-10.9).

Scoring:

Through eight games the Spurs are scoring 108.9 points per game which ranks 13th overall  Opponents are averaging 107.9 points which rank in the middle of the ladder at 16th.

The Thunder ranks 29th in scoring per game with 98.0 points and despite winning two games against the Lakers remain under the century mark. The OKC Thunder ranks 19th allowing opponents to score 109.1 points per game.

Considering the Thunder’s lack of height, they rank a respectable 18th averaging 45.1 boards per match.

The Spurs rank 20th on the offensive glass grabbing 9.2 boards per game while OKC ranks 22nd  with 9.1 offensive boards per match.

Dime dishers:

One commonality for this Spurs roster and a typical Pops team is the ball movement and it’s evidenced by their second-ranked assists per game with 27.7 dimes.

Alternatively, the Thunder are aiming to improve their ball movement and their 19.9 assists per game point to that objective being a work in progress as they rank 28th.

Perimeter:

One area that is trailing previous season performances is how well teams are shooting from the perimeter. Perhaps the ball change is subconsciously impacting players but the medium-range last season was 36.8 percent whereas this year the 15th team on the 3-point efficiency ladder is shooting 34.4 percent.

San Antonio ranks 18th shooting 34.1 percent while the Thunder ranks 28th shooting 30.3 percent from deep.

Scoring by quarter:

The OKC Thunder don’t have one definitive quarter where they excel ranking no better than 23rd (second quarter) but their start is the worst in the league. The Spurs rank 10th in the opening frame and their best scoring quarter is the fourth where they rank seventh.

Defensively, the Thunder performs better ranking the worst in the first (27th) and third quarters (25th) and the best in the final frame (12th).

The Spurs’ worst quarter is the final frame (rank 25th) and their best defensive quarter is the third (rank 10th).

Miscellaneous Categories:

San Antonio dominates a few key areas which provide a decided advantage. They rank first in fastbreak scoring (16.8 points per game), seventh in points scored off turnovers (19.4 points per game), and are also first in points scored in the paint (55.1 points per game).

Similarly, the Spurs perform well on the defensive side of the floor where they hold opponents to the third-fewest points scored off turnovers (13.8) and eighth fewest opponent points on the fast break (11.8).

This highlights the need for the OKC Thunder to be diligent in their transition defense and paint/rim protection.

Fortunately, these are two of the better areas for the Thunder as they hold teams to the third-fewest fastbreak points (9.6) and eighth fewest points scored in the paint (42.5).

As Intentions has noted previously the Thunder performance in these defensive areas can be linked to how they stay in games when the offense isn’t flowing.