Mark Daigneault Says Thunder Trying to Put 'Gas Back in the Tank' Ahead of Difficult Final Stretch

Oklahoma City has prioritized rest during off days, gearing up for a final push before the playoffs begin.

The light portion of Oklahoma City's post All-Star break schedule has come and gone, leaving the team with one final run before postseason play against some of the NBA's best. It'll be good experience and a good measuring stick of where this team stands headed into the NBA Playoffs. Luckily, the team got a bit of rest before gearing up.

The Thunder's last game came against Memphis on Saturday, and before that, the team had a two day break in between. The current four day break has given the young squad a chance to rest and replenish before making a serious run at the No. 1 seed.

"We rested Sunday and we had a really light day yesterday," head coach Mark Daigneault told media members on Tuesday. "A lot of it was just trying to put gas back in the tank. We had a sharp day today.

"We have a tough schedule coming up, not only with opponents, but it's pretty condensed down the stretch with a lot of road games as well. We were just trying to get everyone feeling good, heal some bumps and bruises that come up over the course of the season. Everybody practiced today, we have a healthy team which is great at this point in the year."

According to Tankathon, Oklahoma City has the seventh hardest schedule remaining over the last month and a half of the season. As Daigneault pointed out, the timing of the games are also important. A loaded road stretch with not a lot of rest in between is not optimal.

After Wednesday's game against Utah, Oklahoma City hits the road for a three-game road trip at Toronto, Milwaukee and New Orleans. Two home games against solid teams in Houston and Phoenix split up the Thunder's grueling stretch. Five road games in a row follow, including New York, Philadelphia, Boston and Indiana.

Luckily, Oklahoma City is in a terrific spot, and likely a top-three seed lock. But a good stretch after the team's recent break could help establish the young team as contenders and take the conference's No. 1 seed.

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