Week in Review: Going streaking

AP Photo

With the overtime win over the Utah Jazz, the Thunder kept their win streak alive, extending the streak to 5 games. The Thunder have also held their last 5 opponents under 100 points, and 8 of the last 10. Not coincidentally, the Thunder are 8-2 in those 10 games and rank third in the league in net rating (+10.7) over that stretch, behind only the San Antonio Spurs and Golden State Warriors.

In the Thunder’s first 14 games of the year, the Thunder were nothing more than a middling defensive team. The Thunder possessed a defensive rating of 101.8, good enough for just 13th in the league. Contributing to the defensive woes was the Thunder’s inability to keep teams out of the paint (opponents took 35.8% of their shots within 6 feet, worst in the NBA) and defend the three-point line (teams shot 38% from three against the Thunder, the third-highest opponent percentage in the NBA). Unsurprisingly, the Thunder allowed a whopping 105.2 points per game, sixth-worst in the league.

Over the last 10 games, however, the Thunder’s defensive rating has improved to 97.2, which ranks 5th in the league over this period. The Thunder have also limited shots inside (only 32.7% of opponents’ shots were within 6 feet, and the Thunder ranked 7th in the league in opponent FG% differential within 6 feet), as well as from deep (opponents shot 4.6% worse from three when defended by the Thunder, second best in the NBA). As a result, opponents managed to score just 94.3 points per game, the second-lowest total in the league.

So yes, the defense is improving. And so is the Thunder’s record. Funny how that works.

THE GAMES

• Win at the Memphis Grizzlies, 125-88 on December 8
• Win vs. the Atlanta Hawks, 107-94 on December 10
• Win at the Utah Jazz, 94-90 on December 11
• Win vs. the Utah Jazz, 104-98 (OT) on December 13

THE BEST PLAYER

Kevin Durant. For the second week this year, Durant was named Western Conference Player of the Week–and for good reason. In the last four games, Durant averaged 27.3 points per game on incredible shooting splits of 60/47/96 and an eye-popping 74% TS%. And if his scoring contributions weren’t enough, Durant added 9 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals per game. Is it too early to start an MVP campaign?

THE WORST PLAYER

Nick Collison. Over the last four games, only two players on the Thunder had a negative net rating: DJ Augustin and Nick Collison. Augustin, however, avoids the dreaded “worst player” label he managed to make a few shots this week, while Collison missed all four of his attempts. Thanks to three free throws, Collison did score 3 points this week, and he also grabbed 12 rebounds. So he at least did stuff, which is something Augustin has struggled with this season.

THE BEST PERFORMANCE

Kevin Durant against the Atlanta Hawks. Make it 7 career triple doubles for Durant. In a beautiful win over the Atlanta Hawks, Durant (and Westbrook) played the role of distributor, keeping his teammates involved while stuffing the box score with smart, efficient plays. All told, Durant was able to tally up 25 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists on just 14 made baskets.

It’s such a good thing having him on your team.

THE WORST PERFORMANCE

Dion Waiters against the Atlanta Hawks. As good as Durant was against the Hawks, especially the way he played unselfish basketball, Waiters played the exact opposite. Waiters also took 14 shots like Durant, but missed 10 of his 14 shots en route to just 9 points. I guess Waiters grabbed an offensive rebound and had an assist, so there’s that.

In related news, Waiters has shot below 30% from the floor in 6 games this year.  Oddly, the Thunder are 4-2 in these six games. So chew on that.

THE BEST PLAY

Russell Westbrook uses Rodney Hood to inbound the ball and beats the first-half buzzer.

Honorable mention: Serge Ibaka denies Hayward in a pretty rude manner.

THE WORST PLAY

Russell Westbrook loses his cool. In a tight game against the second-place team in your division, you can’t give your opponent free points. But that’s just what Westbrook did when he shoved Hood and got called for a technical in the process.

WEEK IN PREVIEW

• Vs. the Portland Trail Blazers on December 16 at 7:00 p.m. (FSOK).  Grudge match against the team that signed Enes Kanter to a max contract with a trade kicker? Probably not.

• At the Cleveland Cavaliers on December 17 at 7:00 p.m. (TNT). After losing 3 in a row, the Cavs have won their last 2. But regardless of record, a national TV game against LeBron James should be fun.

• Vs. the Los Angeles Lakers on December 19 at 4:00 p.m. (FSOK). In Kobe Bryant’s farewell season, he leads the pitiful Lakers in scoring (16.2 points per game) and assists (3.3 assists per game) on shooting splits of 32/24/80.

• At the Los Angeles Clippers on December 21 at 9:30 p.m. (NBATV). The Clippers have been pretty inconsistent this year, but have quietly gone 8-2 over their last 10 games. But all I can think about is how late this game is.