The Thunder’s Last Big Test Before The Playoffs

The Thunder only have 21 more games left in the regular season until the playoffs start. When the playoffs start, we will finally see if this team can take that next step, go to the NBA Finals, and potentially win. However, before the playoffs, the Thunder will have one last big test. The Thunder’s next seven-game stretch is all against playoff teams besides one, three of those seven games are against the last two teams to win the championship.

Furthermore, they have a couple more difficult games after this stretch, but with only 14 games left after this stretch and a sizable lead for the first seed in the West, there is a good chance that the Thunder will start resting guys here and there to ensure they are fully healthy for the playoffs. Since that is the case, this will be their last big test where the games matter before the playoffs. Let’s dive into who they play in this stretch of games and why it is important.

The Thunder’s Last Big Test Before The Playoffs

The Thunder’s Opponents

During this seven-game stretch, the Thunder will be playing the Grizzlies, Trail Blazers, Nuggets twice, Celtics, Pistons, and Bucks. All six of those teams are in the playoff hunt besides the Trail Blazers. However, the Trail Blazers are a scrappy team, and if you don’t bring your A-game against them, they very well could beat you. The biggest games for the Thunder during this stretch are against the Nuggets, Celtics, and Bucks. The Bucks are the team that beat the Thunder in the NBA Cup championship game, in which the Thunder struggled against the Bucks’ size. However, this time around, the Thunder will have Chet Holmgren and can see how well this double-big lineup does against an opponent they will need it for.

The Celtics for the reasons of that they are the defending champions, and if you want to be the best, you have to beat the best. In addition, the Thunder already beat the Celtics earlier in the year, and if they can go 2-0 against them, that will give them huge confidence going into a potential finals matchup against them. Finally, the Nuggets, which is the battle of the two players in the running for the MVP award, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic. If one outperforms the other, it could go a long way in the voter’s mind of who should win MVP.

We Will Find Out if Their Defensive Fall is for Real

Since the All-Star break, the Thunder’s defense has slipped drastically. There could be many reasons why their defense has slipped, like not having a focus for certain games, going against teams that are just hot that specific day, or whatever the case may be. However, this team has the players and talent to get back to where they were dominating teams before the All-Star break. This stretch of games is games the Thunder should get up for and be focused on and have no excuses.

Ultimately, if their defense struggles against a team like the Nuggets, Bucks, or Celtics, which are all teams that think they can win the finals this year, then, what was a little concern becomes a big concern moving forward into the playoffs. Now, you give teams confidence going up against your defense, and once a team has confidence, it is hard to take that away from them. Finally, people will start to wonder if that beginning stretch of such an elite defense was just a fluke.

Can Their Hot Offense be Sustained Against The Best Teams?

Since the All-Star break, their offense has gone in the complete opposite direction that their defense has. The Thunder had a 117.3 offensive rating before the All-Star break, which was sixth in the NBA. However, they have jumped to a 127.4 offensive rating after the All-Star break, which is number one in the NBA. The Thunder have, throughout the whole season, a 118.5 offensive rating and are fourth in the NBA. The Thunder now join the Boston Celtics as the only team in the NBA with a top-five offense and defense.

However, this stretch will be a big test to see if this offense can be sustained. They are the top dogs in the Western Conference, and teams like the Nuggets want to beat them. This means that they will get the opposing team’s best shots against them moving forward. If they can keep this hot streak going on offense, and, get back to that suffocating defense, this team will essentially be unbeatable when the playoffs roll around if they are playing like that.

The Last Word on The Thunder’s Last Test

The Thunder’s last test of the season during the stretch will say a lot about who this team is. Are they ready to take that next step? Are they headed for another disappointing playoff exit? Does this team have enough help around Gilgeous-Alexander? How will the Thunder’s double-big lineup fair against opponents they need it for? All of these questions and then some will be answered in this stretch of games. Finally, the Thunder have gone through and passed a lot of tests already. This should give Thunder fans confidence about this upcoming test.