For the first time this season there’s the feel Kevin Durant’s complete health and Billy Donovan’s better feel for the team are somewhat meshing as the Thunder take a three game winning streak into tonight’s game against the Jazz.
Durant and Westbrook have been superb the past two games moving the ball and making sure to get both Ibaka and Adams involved early. If OKC is to become a serious threat come April—this is the template they must follow. Coming down the stretch in fourth quarters … don’t be afraid to go to your big dog alpha wearing No. 35 a little more it need be. The mythical Norman Dale had no problem with making sure Jimmy Chitwood got the ball late-nor should Billy Donovan with Kevin Durant.
Defensively—this team will always be challenged somewhat because when Kanter, Augustin, and Morrow are on the court regardless of the lineup combinations—Donovan will have to be somewhat creative disguising their defensive liabilities.
Utah is 10-10 and what I would describe as a borderline playoff qualifier. OKC enters at 14-8 tonight and in search of real forward traction with a road win tonight.
If OKC locks down on the perimeter defensively tonight — they should win this game given the struggles Utah sometimes encounters shooting the three.
Same keys for OKC tonight…move the ball, get Ibaka going early, play tough team defense and don’t allow Utah any shooting confidence from the outside.
Note to Billy Donovan—always remember, you have Jimmy Chitwood.