OKC defense finding its footing
By Erik Horne Staff writer ehorne@oklahoman.com Portland's Maurice Harkless drove, and Paul George was right there waiting. Still, Harkless looked like he had an opening to slip a pass to a teammate on the baseline … until George reached out and snared the ball easily for a steal. The Blazers tried a backdoor pass on Raymond Felton. Maybe on another night it would have worked, but not on Monday. The ball took a deflection, and Felton, sticking with the cutting Damian Lillard, was first to it, diving on the floor to gain possession. In the Thunder's 120-111 win against Portland, OKC returned to the defensive form that's been spotty in 2019, particularly with its defense on the Blazers' tandem of Lillard and C.J. McCollum. The Thunder hasn't quite returned to the standard established in the first 2½ months of the season, but is ninth in the NBA in points allowed per 100 possessions (108.0) in its last 10 games. "Those guys can really score the basketball if they're comfortable," Felton said of McCollum and Lillard. "If you make them uncomfortable the whole game, that's kind of the best strategy." So uncomfortable was McCollum (5-of-20) that he picked up a technical foul for complaining after his shot was blocked on a fast-break opportunity. "You've just got to be physical," George said. "We had length over them. They're so shifty and quick on drives, that we just did a good job of containing them and forcing them to shoot over the top of us."
Report: Thunder to sign Solomon
The Thunder will reportedly add to its roster with the signing of Oklahoma City Blue forward Richard Solomon to a 10-day contract, according to The Athletic's Shams Charania. The 6-foot-11, 235-pound Solomon has averaged 13.6 points, 8.6 rebounds, 1.2 steals, and one block per game in 31 games with the Blue this season. The signing of Solomon would return OKC's roster to the 13-player minimum. Twoway contracts (Deonte Burton, Donte Grantham) do not count toward roster minimums. The Thunder can carry 12 active players, but would have to have three inactive players (Ex: An additional signing, plus two inactive two-way players would qualify), thus making another guaranteed contract like a 10-day contract necessary.
Schroder announces baby on Instagram
The Year of the Baby continues for the Thunder. Thunder guard Dennis Schroder had a good reason to miss Monday's 120-111 win against Portland for "personal reasons." Schroder's wife gave birth to the couple's first child. Schroder posted an Instagram story Monday that said "Special Day," including a baby emoji, then followed up with photos of the newborn on his Instagram page Tuesday afternoon. On Monday, Donovan did not say if Schroder would be available for the Thunder's game at New Orleans on Thursday, OKC's final game before the All-Star break. Schroder is the third Thunder player whose spouse gave birth this season. Russell Westbrook's wife, Nina Westbrook, gave birth to twin girls (Skye and Jordyn) in November. Terrance Ferguson's fiancee, Lawren Jensen, also gave birth in November to a girl (Lylah Rose). Presti's wife, Shannon Presti, gave birth to twin girls (Millie and Elise) in September.