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Oklahoma City Thunder: 3 Takeaways From Game 4 Loss

By Max Seng

Apr 23, 2017; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) drives to the basket against Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) during the fourth quarter in game four of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 23, 2017; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) drives to the basket against Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) during the fourth quarter in game four of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 23, 2017; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Houston Rockets forward Ryan Anderson (3) and Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jerami Grant (9) fight for a loose ball during the fourth quarter in game four of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 23, 2017; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Houston Rockets forward Ryan Anderson (3) and Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jerami Grant (9) fight for a loose ball during the fourth quarter in game four of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

Jerami Grant Is Going To Get More Minutes

Because of the Hack-A-Roberson strategy that was implemented late in Game 4 and that it worked so splendidly, the Rockets will be sure to come back to that any time the Thunder begin a semblance of a run.

In Roberson’s place on Sunday, Donovan chose Jerami Grant off the bench, placing Victor Oladipo on Harden and welcoming switches that put Grant on Houston’s leader.

Grant played well in Game 4, going 5-for-5 from the field for 10 points in 14 minutes, but his struggles on the road for the Thunder are well chronicled. His spark was noticeable in both Games 3 and 4, but that’s going to have to carry over if the Thunder stand any chance in Game 5.

When Houston goes back to the strategy in an effort to get Oklahoma City’s best defense against Harden, Grant will be called upon. Hopefully he’s ready to bring it on both ends.