After starting the season 0-4, the Oklahoma City Thunder are on a four-game winning streak and small forward Paul George says the team is playing with a different energy and swagger.
The Thunder have defeated the Phoenix Suns, Los Angeles Clippers, Charlotte Hornets and Washington Wizards as part of their ongoing streak. Two of those wins were by double digits.
Paul George on four-game winning streak, what’s changed defensively, says Thunder is playing with “a different energy, a different swagger.” pic.twitter.com/RRcpm0bR6p
— Erik Horne (@ErikkHorne) November 5, 2018
So what changed for the Thunder? Well, it helps that superstar point guard Russell Westbrook is back in the lineup. The seven-time All-Star missed the first two games of the season, as he was recovering from offseason knee surgery. Westbrook is arguably the fiercest competitor in the NBA. When he's on the court, his energy rubs off on his teammates.
In the six games he has played in, Westbrook is averaging 25.3 points, 8.5 rebounds and 8.8 assists. The 29-year-old is shooting an efficient 50.4 percent from the field despite being a woeful 11.1 percent from beyond the arc. Expect that 3-point percentage to increase as the season moves along.
Furthermore, OKC's defense has indeed performed at a much higher level of late. The Thunder have allowed just 102.3 points per 100 possessions over the last four games, one of the best marks in the league, per NBA.com.
In his second season with the Thunder, Paul George looks more comfortable. The five-time All-Star is averaging 22.6 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.9 assists through eight games and shooting 39.4 percent overall and 32.4 percent from the 3-point line. The swingman is dealing with a foot issue, so that's something to monitor moving forward.
The Thunder will look to make it five wins in a row when they host the New Orleans Pelicans Monday evening.
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