For much of the season, the Oklahoma City Thunder’s defense has been elite.
During their 24-1 start, the Thunder allowed 103.3 points per 100 possessions — by far the best mark in the league.
But in the eight games since, their defense has slipped.
Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander says that needs to change, beginning with Wednesday night’s home matchup against the Portland Trail Blazers.
“We’ve got to get back to ourselves defensively if we want to win big in this league,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “That’s where we’ve hung our hat when it’s mattered most and to be able to get that job done. We can’t let that slip if we want to achieve our goals.”
In the last eight games, Oklahoma City has a 110.5 defensive rating, still among the top 10 in the league but a clear step below its standard. The Thunder are 4-4 during this stretch.
Still, Oklahoma City comes into the New Year’s Eve matchup with the Blazers — the only team to beat the Thunder during the first 25 games of the season — having won back-to-back games after dropping consecutive games to San Antonio.
Oklahoma City coach Mark Daigneault said he’s encouraged with both recent signs and the team’s long-term process.
“We haven’t been perfect, it hasn’t been a masterpiece,” Daigneault said. “But we kind of know who we want to want to be and when we’re not there, we’ve done a good job in-game of kind of reconnecting to that.”
Wednesday’s game is the last of four meetings between the teams this season.
After Portland won the first, 121-119 on Nov. 5, the Thunder have beaten the Blazers twice, including a 122-95 win on Nov. 23 in Oklahoma City.
Teams are scoring 21.8 points per game off turnovers against the Blazers, most in the league. Oklahoma City leads the league with 24.6 points per game off turnovers and is second in fewest points allowed at 15.5.
After losing plenty of close games early, Portland has won back-to-back tight contests. The Blazers capped a five-game homestand with a 114-108 win over Boston on Sunday and a 125-122 win over Dallas on Monday.
“I think we learned from them,” Blazers interim coach Tiago Splitter said. “We understand how to use the clock better, the foul situations, the no-foul situations … it’s all a learning experience for us.
“Of course we’re going to make mistakes, they’re going to make shots. It’s part of it.”
The Thunder have used a double-big lineup plenty this season with Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein teaming up, though Hartenstein is out with a calf injury.
Splitter used a similar look against the Mavericks, pairing Robert Williams off the bench with Yang Hansen or Donovan Clingan.
Splitter’s use of the look has been out of necessity.
Damian Lillard and Scoot Henderson haven’t played this season. Jrue Holiday, Matisse Thybulle and Blake Wesley have missed extended time. Jeremi Grant and Kris Murray have missed time of late.
“Lot of guys out, so we have to try different things,” Splitter said.
The Thunder have won nine consecutive home meetings with the Blazers, with Portland’s last win in Oklahoma City occurring Feb. 16, 2021.
