If there were any questions about how important Steven Davis and Chris Paul are to the Oklahoma City offense, Monday’s lackluster showing against the Mavericks answered them.
Tied at 8 with 7:27 to play in the 1st quarter is the closest the Thunder would get in an eventual 107-70 loss.
The Mavericks used an 11-0 run to distance themselves and went on to outscore Oklahoma City 49-30 through the rest of half to put the game out of reach.
OKC shot a paltry 14.7% from three, making just five of their 34 attempts. They shot 32.6% from the field, nearly 10 percentage points lower than the Mavericks. Dallas had double-digit advantages in rebounds (66-39), assists (27-14), and fast-break points (24-14).
Blocks were the only place the Thunder were significantly better on the stat sheet. Oklahoma City blocked 11 shots compared to the Mavericks’ four.
In stark contrast to their first two preseason games, the Thunder had only two players in double-digits as both Danilo Gallinari and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 16.
Gallinari told Erik Horne of The Oklahoman after the game that the Thunder “had no rhythm on offense”.
“I think our rhythm wasn’t good. We’re not sharing the ball at the right time. Finding the guys at the right time. So it’s just the rhythm, and we could be better with that.”
Billy Donovan called the loss a “good lesson” for his young team.
Donovan announced Sunday that both Adams and Paul would rest in Monday’s game. Oklahoma City returns to action Wednesday against the Memphis Grizzlies.
