The Thunder had been winning, 8 of its last 9 games coming into Thursday night’s clash with the Memphis Grizzlies at Chesapeake Energy Arena. But over the last few contests, there was still a sense of urgency to recapture something it had been losing during that time: it’s identity.
In the first quarter against the Grizzlies, that disconnect from the Thunder’s desired playing style hit its nadir. Of the team’s first 21 field goal attempts, 17 came from behind the three-point line against the trade deadline-day, skeleton-crew Grizzlies’ zone defense denied drives to the lane and forced 6 first quarter turnovers.