Even with Deron Williams is street clothes Utah was too much for OKC. If Oklahoma City ever plays a complete game they could be a pretty decent team. The problem is that they only play a good quarter here or there and then throw a bunch of garbage in between. Friday night in Salt Lake City Oklahoma City scored the first 8 points of the game and then disappeared until the third quarter. Trailing 10-3, Utah went on a 21-0 first quarter run to take control of the game. If that wasn’t enough the Jazz went on a 14-2 spurt in the second quarter and led 58-29 at the half.
When you are playing on the road in the NBA and you drop off that kind of performance you aren’t going to win, even if you come alive and have an amazing second half. The Thunder outscored Utah 64-46 in the final two periods but still fell seven points short of the Jazz, 104-97.
As much as I want to get excited about the way Oklahoma City played in the second half I just can’t because the Thunder aren’t going anywhere until they can shoot with consistency. Boston showed Wednesday night that even world champions can be spotty on defense at times so I’m not worried about that because the Thunder have actually been decent on defense this year (They forced 19 turnovers Friday night). They just don’t have an offensive identity yet and that above all else is what is hurting them.
When you are playing on the road in the NBA and you drop off that kind of performance you aren’t going to win, even if you come alive and have an amazing second half. The Thunder outscored Utah 64-46 in the final two periods but still fell seven points short of the Jazz, 104-97.
As much as I want to get excited about the way Oklahoma City played in the second half I just can’t because the Thunder aren’t going anywhere until they can shoot with consistency. Boston showed Wednesday night that even world champions can be spotty on defense at times so I’m not worried about that because the Thunder have actually been decent on defense this year (They forced 19 turnovers Friday night). They just don’t have an offensive identity yet and that above all else is what is hurting them.
Up next for the Thunder are the 4-0 Atlanta Hawks in OKC.
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