Stiles Pointes: In March OKC Thunder Have To Survive And Advance

The Oklahoma City Thunder have to survive and advance the month of March, and it started in Portland.

The theme of March Madness is to Survive and Advance. Independent of seeding, the regular season, or expectation level just survive and advance. That messaging can be transported from the college hardwood to the NBA floor in March. 

On Wednesday, the Oklahoma City Thunder pulled away from the Portland Trail Blazers 128-120. While defense was optional, the Blazers' ripped the cords from beyond the arc, and turnovers were plenty in an ugly affair the Thunder survived. 

Of course, the 43-19 Thunder are supposed to beat down the lowly 17-44 Trail Blazers. However, the season is long. By the time you get to the month of march, you are beat down, exhausted and some games just lack energy. 

While you can not afford to drop these gimme games, only surviving them is good enough at this stage in the season. At the end of the day, there are NBA players on the other side. These ultra competitors that were embarrassed twice by Oklahoma City previously and let one slip away. 

In their last chance to knock off the Thunder this season, OKC took care of business winning their 12th straight game against the Trail Blazers. Earning wins is all that matters as OKC finds themselves tied for first place in the West.

It doesn't have to look pretty, it doesn't have to look smooth, it can look like a dying duck - It just has to go in the win column. 

Stiles Points

• The OKC Thunder needed more support from their bench unit on the road, only seeing 14 points off the pine.
• Gordon Hayward looked more comfortable on Wednesday chipping in ten of those 14 points, including a trailing triple sinking his first 3-pointer as a member of the Thunder. He has looked the part as a team defender in Oklahoma City, if the offense consistently it is easy to see why the OKC Thunder pulled the trigger on that trade. 
• Lu Dort continues his shot streak shooting 2-for-3 from beyond the arc. The Arizona State product has seen a big uptick in efficiency and decision-making which has allowed the Thunder offense to skyrocket. 
• Josh Giddey only missed one of his nine shots going for 19 points, six rebounds, seven assists, and a steal. Giddey was engaged as a defender and rebounder, and it led to instant success. 
• Oklahoma City has a much-needed off day before opening up a lengthy home stand on Friday against the Miami Heat. 

Song of the Day:

A Change is Gonna Come

by Greta Van Fleet.

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