MEMPHIS – The seconds ticked away on the shot clock during a defensive possession, and steadily the Thunder players on the bench began to rise from their seats.
Nick Collison squared up against a smaller, quicker ball handler but forced him to move the ball to a teammate. Andre Roberson was ready, forcing his man to dribble out the clock until he had to chuck a desperation shot. The Thunder bench erupted with cheers. It was just one defensive stop in a 94-78 preseason loss to the Memphis Grizzlies, but the game was filled with small plays like that one that show a continued development as a group.