Typically this season, it’s been the third quarter that has let the Thunder down.
Friday night, it was the fourth.
Oklahoma City was outscored by the Pacers 28-22 in the final quarter as Indianapolis edged OKC 107-100.
Once again, Billy Donovan thought his guys competed. But he told the media after the game that breakdowns in offensive rebounding were what hurt the Thunder the most.
“I thought late we got hurt on offensive rebounds where we came over and helped. To me, it was those putbacks, fouls … we could never really get a clean stop coming down the stretch. And then some of those putbacks put us behind the eight ball.”
Billy Donovan speaks with the media about what could have gone better for the @OKCThunder in the fourth quarter.#ThunderUp pic.twitter.com/0giK6aSkiZ
— FOX Sports Oklahoma (@FOXSportsOK) December 5, 2019
Oklahoma City lost the battle on the boards, 39-37, with the Pacers grabbing 11 offensive rebounds to the Thunder’s eight.
Steven Adams was responsible for five of the team’s offensive rebounds, a bright spot on the glass for OKC on Wednesday night.
“I think he’s kind of getting back to where he normally was,” Donovan said. “I think now he’s playing closer to the guy that everyone is accustomed to seeing.”
Adams also led the Thunder in scoring with 20 points.
Oklahoma City returns to action Friday night against the Timberwolves. Tip-off is at 7 p.m. CT as OKC caps off a two-game homestand.