Cameron Payne and Dion Waiters immediately pressed up to the 3-point line on defense, chasing Utah players around screens like it was a one-possession game.
It was the beginning of the fourth quarter. The Thunder led by 21.
OKC's defensive reawakening continued Thursday with a 113-91 win against the Utah Jazz. The Thunder won its sixth consecutive game on the strength of an aggressive defense that forced 13 steals, one short of a season-high.
Thunder coach Billy Donovan said it's clear that the defense has become more decisive. In 11 games in February, the Thunder gave up 109.