Thunder Defense Cools Off Heat

By Randy Renner, Senior Writer

As hard as it might be to believe in this first Thunder season A.D. (After Durant) Oklahoma City is 6-1 after the first seven games for the first time ever and all alone in first place in the Western Conference.

Just as with the other six wins this 97-85 victory came courtesy of a defense that appears to just be getting better and better.

“We had great length at the basket,” said head coach Billy Donovan. “I thought Steven’s length at the basket, Jerami’s length, Domas at times, that length at the basket really helped alter some shots. Numbers wise it looks like a great defensive night.”

In fact Miami’s 36.9 percent overall shooting percentage is lowest the Thunder have allowed this season and the lowest the Heat have generated this season.

Heat center Hassan Whiteside, who’s been a one-man wrecking crew averaging 20.0 points and 14.2 rebounds a game was shut down offensively scoring just five points on 2-for-8 shooting. He did end up with 12 rebounds but most of those came in the second half when the Thunder led by as many as 24 points.

Enes Kanter had a huge night off the bench, leading the Thunder in scoring with 24 points on 10-for-12 shooting while grabbing 10 rebounds. Victor Oladipo also had a nice night with 17 points on 6-for-9 and rookie Domantas Sabonis had a bit of a coming out party with 15 points (4-for-7 on threes) and 10 rebounds.

“It felt great,” he said in the OKC lockerroom. “The fans are always crazy and it’s just awesome that we got a win.”
 

Sabonis seems to be gaining confidence game by game and Donovan credits an improvement in his defense for that.

“Well he’s not fouling as much so he’s able to stay on the floor, so that’s a big thing,” Donovan pointed out. “And I think he’s getting more comfortable in the offense and more comfortable playing with Steven and Russell and Andre and Victor. I think sometimes you take guys that are really, really good players and you just kinda throw em in together and you expect them to have this chemistry and I think now he’s developing a good chemistry with everyone.”

“Yeah, I have great teammates,” Sabonis agreed. “And a great coaching staff. Everyday they’re helping me and I’m just trying to get more comfortable.”

The Thunder are continuing to take advantage of a home heavy schedule that has them in the middle of a stretch of eight out of nine games inside The Peake.

The competition does ramp up a bit the next two games with Toronto coming in on Wednesday and then a re-match with Blake Griffin and the LA Clippers on Friday.

At the moment though, a team that was reeling for a few weeks after the loss of a superstar is rolling now and not looking back at all.

 

Randy RennerComment