It was a nearly undetectable difference, but there was something extra in the gaits of Thunder players as they emerged from the halftime locker room. Down 13 at home to the LA Clippers, there was an urgency - not necessarily emotional, because the Thunder was playing hard - but more like an understanding of clear, purposeful intent.
The whistle blew and then instinct completely took over. Defensively, the Thunder cut off driving lanes by being in the right position early. Paul George and Jerami Grant shut off lefty drives by Danilo Gallinari and Thunder guards kept their hands back on foul-baiting runners in the lane.