At the beginning of the year, it was slow third quarters that were doing in the Thunder. At the beginning of the New Year, it’s sluggish first quarters.
Once again, Oklahoma City fell behind early in Friday night’s loss to the Heat. Miami led by 14, 40-26, at the end of the first quarter, going on to win 115-108.
It’s the second time in the last four games that the Thunder have given up 40 points in the first frame.
Against the Lakers on Monday, OKC gave up 41, trailing Los Angeles by 22 points before eventually falling 125-110.
Wednesday’s game against the Raptors wasn’t much better. Toronto scored 38 points in the first, building their lead to 30 in the second quarter before the Thunder made a furious rally in the fourth quarter. The deficit was too much for OKC to overcome, as Toronto escaped with a 130-121 win.
Head coach Billy Donovan told Maddie Lee of The Oklahoman that his team is being reactive instead of playing proactively.
“I think what’s happening to us is we’re responding to the game. Instead of trying to dictate the game. We’re responding to other teams.”
Oklahoma City will look to get off to a better start on Saturday when they host the Portland Trail Blazers.
In OKC’s 108-96 win in Portland on Dec. 8, the Thunder outscored the Trail Blazers in every quarter but the third, holding a 21-20 advantage after the first.
Tip-off inside Chesapeake Energy Arena is set for 8 p.m. CT.