Take the ball to the rack OKC! Esp in crunchtime. It's how you got the lead! PLayoff basketball 101.
Up 15 with 5 minutes to go.
Espns chart sums it up perfectly.
Hard Up For Harden
Prior to James Harden fouling out, the Thunder focused their offensive attention on the inside game. After Harden fouled out, though, they settled for long-range shots and struggled.
Thunder Offense
Before Harden Fouled Out
Inside 15 ft. 15-plus ft.
Pct. of FGA 71.6 28.4
FG pct. 56.6 42.9
Thunder Offense
After Harden Fouled Out
Inside 15 ft. 15-plus ft.
Pct. of FGA 12.5 87.5
FG pct. 0.0 21.4
and
The Thunder offense, on the whole, broke down once James Harden left the game. The Thunder ran 25 pick-and-roll plays prior to Harden fouling out but ran just two afterward. The transition offense also stalled, with the Thunder picking up 17 points on 14 transition plays prior to Harden fouling out. Afterward, the Thunder failed to score on their only transition play. This postseason, Harden has scored the eighth most points as a pick-and-roll ball handler and the sixth most transition points.
