It shows: Thunder defense misses Roberson vs. Nuggets
The Thunder lost 127-124 at Denver on Thursday night in a wild game that hopefully is more memorable than it is meaningful.
Paul George had 43 points on 19-of-26 shooting, including a gametying, stepback 3-pointer with 2.2 seconds left that completed a Thunder rally from a 20-point deficit.
Russell Westbrook had 21 assists, the second most in an NBA game this season (Rajon Rondo had 25 in a game for the Pelicans), to go with 20 points. Westbrook was having an awful night shooting, then scored 10 points in the final 3:05 on 4-of-4 shooting to finish 7-of-18.
Jerami Grant had 18 points and six rebounds, leading a strong bench unit that outscored the Nugget reserves 41-21.
But it was all for naught as Gary Harris nailed a 3-pointer at the buzzer to give Denver the win.
Nikola Jokic had a monster triple double – 29 points, 13 rebounds, 14 assists. Jamal Murray dominated with 33 points and five assists. The Nuggets made 11 of 24 3-pointers in the first half and it seemed like 31 of 44.
So lots to remember. But how much to worry about?
The Thunder’s recent defensive slide continued. Maybe it’s just my impression, but the Andre Roberson void generally shows up in drives to the basket. Andre is a giant at staying in front of opponents. I never had thought that Roberson’s absence shows up on 3-pointers, though it certainly makes sense. If Roberson’s replacement is getting burned, and the Thunder defense has to make amends, it leaves the 3-point line vulnerable.
The Thunder is 6-7 in games without Roberson this season and 24-15 in games with him. That’s a significant difference.
No other Thunder has missed more than three games. OKC is 3-0 without Steven Adams (who would have thought?), 1-2 without George (that’s about right), 1-0 without Carmelo Anthony and 0-1 without Jerami Grant. Grant and George missed the same game, against the Netropolitans in Mexico City, and anyone who watched the game Thursday night could understand how the Thunder could lose to the Nets.
Anyway, I went back and looked at those 13 games Roberson has missed:
•116-103 home loss to Charlotte
•100-95 win at Indiana
•116-113 home loss to Dallas
•133-96 win at the Lakers
•127-117 win at the Clippers
•114-100 loss at Phoenix
•117-106 home loss to Portland
•104-88 loss at Minnesota
•101-91 win at Charlotte
•95-88 home win over Sacramento
•122-112 home win over Philadelphia
•102-96 loss at Washington
•127-124 loss at Denver
In those 13 games, Thunder opponents have made 142 of 385 3-point shots. That’s a percentage of .369. In the Thunder’s other 39 games, opponents have made 568 of 1,593 3-point shots. That’s a percentage of .352.
The difference between .369 and .352 might not seem vast. But that’s the difference between ranking eighth in the NBA in 3-point defense and ranking 21st in 3-point defense.
But the raw numbers aren’t as bad as some of the particular numbers. The Thunder has given up some huge 3-point shooting games in those defeats.
The Hornets made 13 of
25. The Mavericks made 15 of 34. The Suns made 17 of 39. The Blazers without Damian Lillard made 10 of
23. Then came the Nuggets’ 15-of-37 game. Portland and Denver at least are good teams. Charlotte, Dallas and Phoenix are not. Yet the Thunder defense collapsed and allowed a cavalcade of 3-pointers.
The Thunder is not a great team from the 3-point line. OKC ranks 11th in 3-pointers taken, 15th in 3-pointers made and 23rd in 3-point percentage.
The Thunder defense against 3-pointers has been squishy even with Roberson healthy. OKC is 10th in 3-point defensive percentage (.357) but is 26th in 3-point shots allowed (30.6 per game) and 24th in 3-point baskets allowed (10.9).
The Thunder allows a lot of 3-pointers. When opponents’ percentage goes up, OKC is in trouble.
And that percentage has gone up without Andre Roberson.