3 Thunder Takeaways: Thunder Clamp Down In Clutch Time To Tie Series At 2-2

Oklahoma City continues to keep everyone guessing. The Thunder looked like they were set to bow out in their first round series quickly and quietly after a second consecutive double-digit defeat. Now, they have a legitimate opportunity to win the very same series in six games.

If Lawler’s Law, named for former Los Angeles Clippers team broadcaster Ralph Lawler, dictates that the first team to score 100 points wins the game, then the definition for Thunder’s Law should be clarified.

Thunder’s Law states that if the Thunder are trailing or leading by five points with five minutes to go, Oklahoma City will win the game.

OKC won their 32nd game, and second in a row, this season after leading the Rockets by one point at the 5:00 mark of the fourth quarter in Game 4.

Thunder’s Law abided once more on Monday evening.

First Takeaway: Playing With Fire

Much has been made about the defense rookie guard Lu Dort has played against James Harden. Harden went 4-for-11 from the floor for 11 points head-to-head with Dort in his grill. While Dort was fantastic again, an equal share of the praise must go to Thunder coach Billy Donovan.

With the Rockets up 13 points and 5:24 to go in the third quarter, Dort committed his fourth foul of the game. Donovan elected to keep Dort in the game. Dort then committed his fifth foul of the game early in the final quarter and only sat him for two minutes before Donovan checked him back into action.

These are risky moves that could have come back and bit Donovan in the backside. It could have changed OKC’s chances at drawing even in the series, but the gamble worked out in his favor.

Second Takeaway: It Finally Happened!

It took an early second half 3-point barrage from Houston (Rockets began the third quarter 8-for-8 from the perimeter), but Oklahoma City’s team defense finally came into form.

While Dort held Harden to 4-for-11 shooting one-on-one, coincidentally, a combination of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Terrance Ferguson, Chris Paul, Dennis Schroder, Steven Adams, Nerlens Noel and Darius Bazley also held Harden to a combined 4-for-11 shooting one-on-one from the floor.

Houston launched yet-another-NBA-playoff-record 58 3-pointers in Game 4. OKC’s perimeter defense forced the Rockets to go cold long enough for them get back into the game. Of course, a 21-7 Thunder run to end the third quarter had a lot to do with that as well. 

Third Takeaway: Out Of The Lion’s ‘Den’

It is completely understandable for Dennis Schroder’s mind to be elsewhere right now, even in the middle of a playoff series.

Earlier this month, Schroder left the NBA bubble to be alongside his wife as they welcomed their second child into the world. Had it not been for the NBA’s August restart, he would have likely been with his wife and newborn for a lot longer than a handful of days.

Schroder wasn’t himself in Games 1 and 2, but he has reached a new level in OKC’s two victories. The German guard scored a combined 59 points on 20-for-39 shooting while also getting to the line 16 times, making 13 of them.

Schroder scored just 19 points on eight made field goals and had just two free throw attempts combined in Games 1 and 2.

The Thunder have found new life. Now, it’s best two out of three for the right to move on in the playoffs.