The OKC Thunder have lost their last two games against Western Conference playoff contenders. A three-game stretch will decide their season.
The Oklahoma City Thunder dropped a must-win game against the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday night, 103-99. It was a game that they needed to maintain their standing as the 4-seed in the Western Conference, but now they have dropped to the fifth spot.
The Thunder and Spurs have identical records and neither one of their schedules will be a cake walk.
San Antonio has to face the Houston Rockets, New Orleans Pelicans and Portland Trail Blazers in its final six games. The Spurs also have to face the Los Angeles Clippers, who are still fighting for a playoff spot.
For the Thunder, an upcoming three-game stretch could decide whether the Thunder will maintain good seeding in the West.
In the beginning of April, the Thunder will have to meet the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center, then play the Golden State Warriors at home and then the Houston Rockets at the Toyota Center.
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With the seeding being so tight and teams battling for position, winning every game is a must for the Thunder. They also dropped a recent game against the Portland Trail Blazers that would’ve helped them in their quest for the third spot.
The Thunder’s record against those three teams is 3-4, with two wins coming against the Warriors and one win coming against the Rockets. The Thunder have not beaten the Pelicans this year.
There are some factors that go their way in those three games. The Pelicans are without DeMarcus Cousins, while the Warriors are without Stephen Curry.
The Rockets game will be a true test because they are the best team in the NBA in terms of record and are currently on a 10-game winning streak.
Recently, close games down the stretch have hurt the Thunder. Playoff contenders like the Boston Celtics, Portland Trail Blazers and San Antonio Spurs have all taken games away from the Thunder that were there for the taking.
There was one thing in common in all those games: The Thunder lost the fourth quarter in each one. It all comes down to their best players making plays down the stretch.
The Thunder will need Carmelo Anthony and Paul George to step up their play. Anthony has not been in double digits in the scoring column since the Boston game, which the Thunder lost 100-99.
George dropped 26 against the Spurs, but against the Trail Blazers he was 4-for-15 from the floor and not very effective.
The Thunder will have to do things to get those players back in their comfort zones so they can make plays again. Spacing will be key. There is a lot of traffic when George or Anthony touch the ball and that can make them uncomfortable.
Getting them in iso-plays where there is room to operate will be key.
Moving the ball with that space can also help, because if the defense has to make decisions with the Thunder having weapons spread out across the court, their stars could be more dangerous.
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This daunting three-game stretch won’t be a cake walk, but could help OKC reclaim its positioning in the standings with good play from key players.