Watching the Thunder clock
With 6:54 remaining in its game at Detroit on Oct. 30, the Thunder led the Pistons 75-65. If this were last season, Thunder players, coaches and fans would start focusing on the game clock, wondering why the clock was moving so slowly and if the Thunder possibly could hold on for the victory.
When would the Thunder’s late-game fade begin, and what would be the cause? Fatigue? Nerves? Fright? Carelessness? Or was it simply a matter of the other team showing it was better when it mattered most? This self-wonderment resulted in a 23-59 season that occassionally brought a small portion of pleasure, but far more frustration, anger and embarrassment.
That was last year. There have been no such signs so far this season. Yes, it’s extremely early — only six games — but to me, the failure to fade late in games is the most noticeable improvement from last year’s Thunder to this year’s. Thunder coach Scott Brooks said he notices it, too. His explanation is having better players, and more of them.
“We’re much deeper,” Brooks said shortly before his team departed for Sacramento on Monday afternoon. “We’ve got some very capable guys on the bench, some of them haven’t even played yet. That helps our team, but that also helps guys get better at practice. That’s having better players. We now have the ability to rest some of our guys. We now have good enough guys who will either hold the lead or make up from a deficit.”
Getting back to that Detroit game, the Pistons closed to within 77-73 with 4:26 left, but never got closer in a 91-83 Thunder victory. In the season-opening 102-89 victory over Sacramento in the Ford Center, the final margin was the closest the Kings got since 1:08 remained before halftime. And in Sunday night’s 102-74 masterpiece against Eastern Conference champion Orlando, the Thunder took the lead for good with 4:56 left in the second quarter. With 4:56 left in the fourth quarter, the Thunder built its biggest lead at 96-63.
So far, so good for the Thunder when it comes to maintaining late-game leads. Hopefully there will come a day when the Thunder will be able to focus on the score rather than the clock in the closing minutes.
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