OKC Thunder: Bench needs more games like recent outing against Magic
With Carmelo Anthony and Russell Westbrook not scoring in double digits, the bench was able to carry the load for the OKC Thunder. Games like this are what the Thunder need.
The Oklahoma City Thunder needed a bounce-back game against the Orlando Magic. With Russell Westbrook and Carmelo Anthony not putting up the numbers that they usually do, a foursome of Jerami Grant, Raymond Felton, Patrick Patterson and Alex Abrines came off the bench for the OKC Thunder and put up solid numbers.
The Magic had all five starters score in double figures, but the Thunder were able to counteract with their bench and wound up winning, 112-105.
Alex Abrines talked after the game about all the players stepping up.
"“I think all the players who stepped on the court did a great job,” Abrines said. “We never gave up.”"
Games like Monday night can help the chemistry of the team because when the star players who are relied on so heavily don’t come through, the bench can step up to the challenge. Felton had 13 points, Grant had 10, Patterson had 11 and Abrines had 12.
Felton and Patterson were brought in during the offseason to provide offense and veteran leadership for the team, and they have had flashes offensively, but nothing consistent.
Felton has been a stable backup point guard for the Thunder. The point guard position for the Thunder last year was not in as good a shape as it is this year.
In the last six games, Felton has gone off for double digits in four games. In a bench that is ranked 29th in the league in terms of points per game, it is always good to get a player that can provide some offense.
Patterson has not produced how the Thunder thought he would early in the season, but recently he’s been playing well. In three of the last six games, he’s scored in double figures. It is looking like he’s finally finding a groove with the team.
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Patterson has been getting more minutes lately as well, and that has probably helped his rhythm. Before February he never logged more than 30 minutes in a game, but in February he has two such games. The best rep is in game action.
Grant is the leading scorer on the bench for the Thunder. His versatility and durability makes him one of the most reliable players on the team. Grant will be a main player that is looked to provide two-way support for the Thunder’s second unit.
Alex Abrines can shoot the 3 and if he can do that consistently, he will be a major X-factor for the Thunder.
Abrines does not get to shoot the ball enough. He only shoots 2.9 3-pointers a game, while Paul George and Carmelo Anthony shoot 7.8 and 6.1 respectively.
Patterson and Abrines have had to take a backseat in terms of shooting the ball with George and Anthony being on the team, but with more minutes coming in for Patterson, and with Abrines being young, they should be key players down the stretch.
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The bench is statistically one of the worse in the league, but with the foursome of Felton, Abrines, Patterson and Grant playing well off the bench lately, there is at least some hope for the Thunder’s second unit.