In the first half, the Thunder was a bit out of sync – perhaps a step slow on defense and a step too quick on offense. In the second half against the Detroit Pistons, it was a completely different story as all of the gears of the Thunder machine were turning.
In a runaway 103-87 victory over the Pistons on Friday night, the Thunder outscored Detroit 55-32 in the second half in what was a dominant display of basketball on both ends of the floor. The Thunder’s defense was not only suffocating, it was downright nasty, forcing Detroit into 11-for-46 (23.9 percent) shooting over the final 24 minutes, including a 4-for-16 mark from behind the three-point line.
“For us, it was definitely a tale of two halves. Our defense in the second half was just terrific,” Head Coach Billy Donovan said. “I thought our energy was at a really high level. We protected the rim really well.”
On the offensive end of the floor, it was the complete opposite for Donovan’s club. The team shot 20-for-39 (51.3 percent) and allowed just four points off turnovers in the half. Six players scored at least six points in the second half, led by Kevin Durant who scored exactly 17 points in each half of play.
The 2014 MVP and perennial All-Star was in attack mode throughout the night, but particularly efficient after halftime, going 6-for-11 from the floor, while knocking down three triples. For the night, he finished with 34 points, 13 rebounds, five assists and three blocked shots.
“I was feeding off the energy of the crowd and the teammates,” Durant said. “In single coverage I feel like I can score on anybody. I was aggressive.”
“He did what he always does, coming out and competing at a high level and he made some shots,” Westbrook said of his perennial All-Star partner.
The catalysts behind the Thunder’s second half success were clearly the energy, focus and precision of play, but the one constant for the team was the way it rebounded the ball throughout the night. Thanks to Steven Adams’ 13 rebounds and the committee job aided by Serge Ibaka, Enes Kanter and Andre Roberson, the Thunder managed to out-rebound the Pistons 58-38.
It was a completely dominating performance against the second-leading rebounding team in the league, including the way Adams helped limit Andre Drummond to a season-low seven rebounds.
“I thought we did a really good job,” Donovan said. “They didn’t allow Drummond a lot of deep post catches. They did a great job of keeping him off the backboard. We didn’t give up a lot of second chance opportunities most of the game.”
“He’s taken the next step in his approach to the game,” Durant said of Adams in particular. “That’s where players get better – in their approach and mindset. He has all the physical tools and he’s working hard. We need to continue to encourage him and keep lifting him up every single day.”- – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
Turning Point
While the Thunder’s attitude coming out of halftime was crucial to the victory, the momentum completely turned in this game over the final five minutes of the third period. An 18-6 run was generated by a dominant defensive performance and the combined talents of Durant, Enes Kanter and Dion Waiters.
It both started and ended with 6-0 bursts, as Westbrook knocked down two free throws, Durant hit a pull-up and then Waiters recognized a weakness in transition and drove right to the rim to give Donovan’s group a 66-65 lead. Three minutes later, after exchanging baskets and the lead, Durant hit a pull-up 10-foot jumper, then knocked down two free throws.
Then, on a wild play where the Thunder made two offensive rebounds and saved the ball inbounds twice, Kanter came up with the ball and was fouled, making both free throws and giving the Thunder a 76-71 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
“We all played together on both ends of the floor,” Durant said. “At the end of that third quarter we just moved the basketball, got good shots, were patient and were able to take the lead.”- – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
By the Numbers
7-for-8 – Shooting numbers for Serge Ibaka on the night, in addition to four rebounds and four blocks
22-for-26 – Free throw shooting numbers for the Thunder on the night, including an 8-for-10 mark by Enes Kanter
58-38 – The Thunder’s rebounding advantage in a game between the top two rebounding teams in the league- – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
The Last Word
“We were rebounding the basketball. We dominated them on the glass because everybody chipped in.” – forward Kevin Durant
