It sure does help when you don’t turn it over and get a shot every possession. The same goes for when you deny your opponent a chance to even get an attempt up at the rim.
On Tuesday, in the Thunder’s final preseason game of the 2018-19 campaign, the first and second quarters showed the stark difference in what the game looks like when turnovers come into play in a major way. In the first quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks, the Thunder lost the turnover battle 7-0, giving up 11 points off of those giveaways.
One period later, Head Coach Billy Donovan’s club turned Milwaukee over 9 times and didn’t give away any possessions themselves as it returned the favor and outscored the Bucks 11-0 in points off turnovers.