Oklahoma City Thunder: 3 Takeaways From Game 4

Oklahoma City Thunder: 3 Takeaways From Game 4 Loss

By Max Seng | Apr 24, 2017

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 /

4 of 4

Apr 23, 2017; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Houston Rockets guard Patrick Beverley (2) drives to the basket against Oklahoma City Thunder forward DougMcDermott (25) during the second 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 /

Feed Abrines and McDermott

Alex Abrines and Doug McDermott were on the floor for a combined 34 minutes in Game 4 and shot a combined 2-for-5 from deep.

The jarring statistic is not the makes or percentage, but the lack of attempts. The two most accurate shooters on Oklahoma City, placed on the floor for the exact purpose of shooting the ball from range managed five attempts in the game.

Floor spacing remains the Thunder’s biggest Achilles heel, but if McDermott and Abrines play a similar minutes total, they should each hoist up a minimum of five treys, with the potential for many more.

McDermott is shooting an astounding 58 percent on 3-pointers this series, a signal he should be fed more. Abrines is lower at 30 percent, but the threat of him still warrants a hard closeout and his defender staying home.

The Spanish rookie has shown the potential to rain shots from deep at a high volume, with two games this season of five or more made 3-pointers.

Next: 25 Greatest Shooters in NBA History

If the Thunder use Roberson as a screener and get funky with him on the offensive end, Jerami Grant plays in Houston like he does in Oklahoma City and Abrines and McDermott bomb away from deep, the Thunder just may steal Game 5 and stay alive. Stay tuned.