The Oklahoma City Thunder only scored 19 points in the first quarter against the Detroit Pistons and trailed by as many as 23 in the second, but a run by the OKC bench unit helped the team get back in the game. At halftime, the Thunder trailed 58-47.
The Thunder bench scored 12 straight points in the second quarter, all from players new to the team. Six were from Justin Robinson and two were from Jaylen Hoard, and the other four came via Tony Bradley.
Those three players each had six points in the first half.
Svi Mykhailiuk helped the Thunder cut the deficit to single digits before the Pistons found their footing. Mykhailiuk, who was traded from Detroit to Thunder last month, led OKC with 11 points.
Hamidou Diallo, who the Pistons got in return, posted four points in the half.
Ty Jerome had some very nice passes to help the Thunder cut back into the deficit, and Darius Miller had three steals.
Okay how did you make that pass Ty 🤯@tyjerome_ ➡️ @Sviat_10 pic.twitter.com/tnKKMchA5L
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) April 6, 2021
To get back into the game, the Thunder will have to improve their shooting — the team is shooting 37.5% from the field and 26.7% from deep — and get more transition chances on offense. The team only had six fast break points.
Tune in to Bally Sports Oklahoma to see the remainder of the game.