Now on their third three-game winning streak of the season, the OKC Thunder will be hoping to finally find some sense of consistency.
The game was tied 117-117 and the Oklahoma City Thunder had the ball. Russell Westbrook caught the ball and dribbled to lull the defender to sleep. He ended up hitting a contested 3-pointer and after an Atlanta Hawks prayer went unanswered, the OKC Thunder had won, 120-117.
Westbrook said during his post-game interview:
"“It was just about getting to the right spot and knocking down the shot. They’re a tough team and it was a tough game but we came out and got a win.”"
This win gives the Thunder a three-game winning streak and they are now two games above .500 for the first time this season.
The Thunder sweated out the game against the worst team in the league record-wise, but they were able to pull it out in the end. Westbrook ended up with 30 points, 15 assists, seven rebounds and two steals.
In their last six games, OKC is now 5-1 with the only loss coming to the New York Knicks. The Knicks loss can be attributed to a triple-overtime game against the Philadelphia 76ers the night before.
Let's check in with the MVP-winner, clutch-shot-maker, delightful-dimer @RussWest44! #ThunderUp pic.twitter.com/WrfRmsUXEE
— Bally Sports Oklahoma (@BallySportsOK) December 23, 2017
After a close win against the Denver Nuggets, the Thunder came back and blew out the Utah Jazz to give them their second win in a row. Now OKC is looking at a three-game win streak and they will face tougher competition in the next couple of games.
After a game against the Jazz, the Thunder will face a Houston Rockets team that has the second-best record in the NBA. The Thunder will have to step up to the challenge.
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OKC has a good win under its belt with its victory against the Golden State Warriors the day before Thanksgiving. The Thunder won that game easily, 108-91, and made a statement that they so desperately desired at that time.
This team looks up and down though so far. Sometimes OKC loses big leads late in the game. Sometimes it loses games against teams it should beat easily.
Sometimes it wins games you would not expect to win. From Nov. 17-29, the Thunder were 1-5, with their only win being against the Golden State Warriors.
After the Warriors game they lost to the Detroit Pistons, Dallas Mavericks and Orlando Magic. Those three teams have a combined record of 38-60.
Also during that stretch there was a game against the San Antonio Spurs. The Spurs were able to overcome a 23-point deficit and beat the Thunder. That is a game that will hurt OKC down the stretch.
It will be all about building consistency going into the new year. They will have to win the games they should win and compete in the tough games going forward down the stretch.
Finishing games is what will get them to a good playoff seed. Now they are fifth in the Western Conference, but home-court advantage in the first round would be ideal.
Next: 2018 NBA Mock Draft: End of 2017 edition
The longest winning streak the Thunder have had is three games and they’ve had a three-game winning streak three times. If they are able to get a long winning streak from now to January then they will be back on track.