Sabonis and the Pacers Wreck the Thunder 111-85.
If you could do all over, would you trade for Paul George? It's low hanging fruit. Of course, you would 100 times out of 100. Even considering the current state of the Thunder, you still had to give Russell Westbrook reason to believe you were trying to compete at a high level. No matter how things turned out, "scared money don't make none."
The fruits of that trade were ripe tonight as Domants Sabonis and the Indiana Pacers worked the Oklahoma City Thunder 111-85. Sabonis collected his fifth straight double-double going 18-16. Of those 16 rebounds, seven came on the offensive end. Making a return to the lineup tonight was Steven Adams, Adams at times looked like he was stuck in the mud trying to guard the more agile Sabonis. It could be the effects of the knee contusion are still bothering him, whatever the case the Thunder gave up the paint 54-36. Adams would finish with 10 points.
Sabonis wasn't the only Pacer lighting up Oklahoma City. TJ Warren and Malcolm Brogdon combined for 43 points. Four of Indy's five starters were in double figures.
Hamidou Diallo staring in place of Terrence Ferguson, who was out for personal reasons, had his most abysmal performance with just two points and a minus 14. Oklahoma City lead by two midway through the first quarter after an Adams bucket made it 12-10. After that brief period, the Pacers would never trail leading by as many as 31. If you're looking for bright spots the Thunder bench was on the high side at 41-28. Also, Billy Donovan won his first coaches challenge of the year when Nerlens Noel was called for a goaltend with 9:44 left on a TJ McConnell driving layup.
The Thunder slip to 4-7 on the year and are the only team in the NBA besides Orlando without a road win.
Up next, it's the 76ers at the Peake Friday night at 7 o'clock. Catch all the action on 97.1 The Sports Animal in Tulsa.
