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Oklahoma City Thunder: 3 goals following 2019 NBA All-Star break

By Albert Dadson

HOUSTON, TX - FEBRUARY 9: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder high fives his teammates during the game against the Houston Rockets on February 9, 2019 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - FEBRUARY 9: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder high fives his teammates during the game against the Houston Rockets on February 9, 2019 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The OKC Thunder have enjoyed a successful first half of the season. They look to continue they’re hot play after the All-Star break.

The Oklahoma City Thunder had a successful All-Star break. Hamidou Diallo was able to come away with the Slam Dunk Contest trophy, while Paul George and Russell Westbrook represented the team in the All-Star Game. George scored 20 points and Westbrook scored 17.

The OKC Thunder are coming off the All-Star break in a good position. They are the third seed in the Western Conference and will look to enjoy a good second half of the season as well.

Last year’s early first round exit had to leave a bad taste in OKC’s mouth. The Thunder were outplayed by a Utah Jazz team that they were better than on paper.

After reworking the roster, this team has won the types of games they lost last year. OKC has been able to beat most of the teams they’re better than, sporting a 22-10 record against teams below .500. They have beaten the tough teams too.

Paul George has followed a disappointing 2017-18 campaign with an MVP-caliber 2018-19 campaign. He will look to continue to be in the conversation for the award after the All-Star break.

The Thunder continue to be one of the best teams defensively. They are third in defensive rating at 105.2. They are first in steals with 10.2 per game.

George and Russell Westbrook are leading the way in this category. George averages 2.3 steals per game and Westbrook averages 2.2. That, in turn, translates to the offensive end, where they average 18.6 fast break points per game — good for fourth in the league.

This season looks like it can be a special year for the Thunder. If they can play the same way they did in the first half, they can try and look to get a higher seed and do damage in the playoffs. Bearing this in mind, here are three goals for the home stretch of the season.

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