5 Adjustments That OKC Thunder Need To Make To Be A True Contender

#5 Make More High-Percentage Shots In Clutch Time

Paul George and Russell Westbroo

Westbrook is Thunder's #1 option during the clutch time: a rather easy choice given his own prowess down the stretch added to George's and Anthony's below-par performance in the same time period.

However, this season, Thunder have lost many more close games than they have won, going 6-10 in games decided by single-digit margins. Other than Westbrook, whose usage rate skyrockets in clutch time, no Thunder player has been able to consist effect plays on the offensive end.

Against teams that ramp up their defensive alertness to max levels in the 4th quarter, Westbrook's pick-and-roll combination with Adams, as well as his kickouts to teammates yield far too few scoring opportunities for his teammates.

Carmelo and George are squandering a number of possessions on isolation plays even in clutch time, while Roberson and Abrines are both non-factors off the dribble. Only veteran guard Ray Felton is able to provide the spacing required of wing players in clutch time, and he is a porous defender.

Donovan would do well to field Felton and Westbrook together in the final seconds of games.