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Oklahoma City Thunder: Late-game struggles continue against Kings

By Kenneth Teape

SACRAMENTO, CA - NOVEMBER 07: Zach Randolph #50 of the Sacramento Kings reacts in the final minute of their win against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Golden 1 Center on November 7, 2017 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA - NOVEMBER 07: Zach Randolph #50 of the Sacramento Kings reacts in the final minute of their win against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Golden 1 Center on November 7, 2017 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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The Oklahoma City Thunder have struggled in close, late-game situations and the trend continued against the Sacramento Kings.

The Oklahoma City Thunder came into the 2017-18 NBA season as a trendy pick to win a championship. The Golden State Warriors are still the favorites, but many people thought the Thunder could give them some trouble.

Russell Westbrook was given some much-needed help as the Thunder acquired not one, but two superstars via trade this offseason.

First, Paul George was acquired from the Indiana Pacers at the onset of free agency. Right before training camp, Sam Presti pulled off another deal, landing Carmelo Anthony from the New York Knicks.

By adding two players of that caliber, the Thunder greatly improved the talent on the roster. However, some time will be needed for things to come together. All three are used to having the ball in their hands as a go-to player. Some sacrifices would need to be made for things to work in Oklahoma City.

Oklahoma City Thunder
Oklahoma City Thunder /

Oklahoma City Thunder

Things looked great against the Knicks on opening night, as the Thunder won by 21 points. In fact, Oklahoma City has looked great in its victories. Each win has come by at least 18 points with a margin of victory of 22.5 points. When the game is close though, the results are not nearly as good.

If Oklahoma City is not blowing out its opponent, it’s losing games. The Thunder have lost every game thus far this season decided by four points or fewer. In fact, every game the Thunder have lost this season is by single-digits. They’ve had some late-game struggles and those continued Tuesday night against the Sacramento Kings.

It certainly did not look like it would be a close game at the beginning. Oklahoma City opened up a 15-point lead by the time the first quarter ended on the back of Steven Adams.

Adams scored 10 points in 10:31 played in the first quarter, adding three rebounds, three steals and one block and scoring as many points as the Kings’ entire team. He was a force but did very little the remainder of the game as Billy Donovan opted for smaller lineups. Adams played about 19 minutes the final three quarters of the game.

The 15-point lead Oklahoma City built in the first quarter quickly disappeared. The Kings would outscore the Thunder 32-16 in the second quarter, taking a one-point lead into halftime and never looking back.

Sacramento took a 10-point lead into the fourth quarter. Oklahoma City put pressure on them, getting to within one point, but those late-game struggles would creep up once again as they were unable to get over the hump to take the lead and close the deal.

This was the type of game the Thunder could have gained a lot of confidence from winning. Going up against a young Kings squad, it was the perfect storm to get their first close victory of the season. It ended up being Zach Randolph and the kiddie Kings that pulled out the victory.

A Carmelo Anthony technical with 4:08 remaining in the fourth quarter turned the tide in favor of the Kings. When you are struggling in tight games, giving away free points is unacceptable. Sacramento ripped off a 6-0 run right after the technical to essentially put the game out of reach.

After opening up the game strong, the Thunder got complacent. They finished the game with only 86 points, a very low amount when you start the game off with 25 in the first.

The Thunder shot only 33.7 percent overall and 27 percent from deep as they struggled mightily to score. They have still not won a game that Russell Westbrook has not triple-doubled in, which is a telling sign.

That streak will eventually come to end, and the Thunder hope it is sooner than later. It is a learning process when new players are acquired and it will take some time; look at how the Cleveland Cavaliers have begun the season.

Next: NBA Power Rankings: Week 4

Oklahoma City will eventually pick things up. Things are not going the Thunder’s way now, but they will learn how to play with each other and improve in close, late-game situations. There is nowhere to go but up.

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