Justin Cooper

December 12, 2018

 

Since their sluggish start, the Oklahoma City Thunder have been on a tear, winning 17 of their last 21 contests on their way to the number one spot in the NBA’s Western Conference.  The media is starting to take notice as Kurt Helin of NBC Sports elevated the Thunder to number two in his most recent power rankings, only trailing Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Milwaukee Bucks.

 

Helin fairly mentions the Thunder’s soft schedule through the early part of the season in assessing the team’s subjective standing.  It’s undeniable that Oklahoma City’s favorable early season schedule has had a significant impact on the win column, but taking care of business against sub-par competition was an Achilles heal for this team last year.  With Russell Westbrook’s early season injuries, the season could not have been arranged in a more beneficial way for a team that, over the last two years, have lived or died based by the MVP’s presence on the floor.

 

Helin, in the same sentence, also credits the Thunder’s league leading defense for their momentarily conference topping record which, he says, “…keeps them within striking distance of the top.”  Oklahoma City enters a more difficult stretch of the season schedule throughout December, playing two thirds of their games on the road against, collectively, more solid opponents.  If Paul George and Co. can continue dialing up smothering team defense, the Thunder should fare well against the stouter competition and maintain their spot in the upper echelon of the league.

 

The Thunder take on Anthony Davis and the Pelicans tonight in New Orleans.  Game tips at 7:00 and will be broadcast on ESPN, Fox Sports Oklahoma, and Fox Sports New Orleans.