Schedule toughens, Thunder continues push

This is what the Thunder wanted.

Not the record, maybe. That’s been a disappointment. But with 12 games to play, Oklahoma City (41-29) is in the thick of a playoff chase that’s about to shift into high gear, and it’s right where the Thunder wants to be.

It’s why OKC traded for Paul George, why Carmelo Anthony waived a no-trade clause to team with George and reigning MVP Russell Westbrook.

“This is why we wanted to join forces and come together, for these type of moments and to gear up for the postseason,” Anthony said on Thursday. “For us as a group, we feel like that’s where we’re headed.”

But that’s not a given. Not yet.

Though the Thunder remains a safe bet to reach the playoffs — statistical analysis site FiveThirtyEight.com as of Thursday projected it as a 92 percent likelihood — its road there is about to get rougher.

Starting with the L.A. Clippers on Friday, Oklahoma City will play 11 straight games against teams with winning records.

Those teams — the Clippers, Raptors, Celtics, Heat (twice), Trail Blazers, Spurs, Nuggets, Pelicans, Warriors and Rockets — entered Thursday night’s games with a combined winning percentage of 62.5.

That doesn’t mean much to coach Billy Donovan.

The Thunder coach doesn’t put much stock in the standings, doesn’t look much beyond the