The Oklahoma City Thunder got a piece of humble pie on Sunday night as the team fell to the Cleveland Cavaliers 115-92. While the score was close for a majority of the game, the Cavaliers outscored the Thunder 29-11 in the final eight minutes to seal the win. The Thunder have not gotten blown out like that at home in a long time which drew some concern from onlookers who think some things might need to change. However, Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook are making it clear they are not worried.
The Thunder are trying to get all of their issues ironed out with the idea that they will be battling the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference Finals. The team is trying to capitalize on their championship window at the moment and the loss to the Cavaliers set the team back. Durant and Westbrook struggled heavily in the loss, but denied that there was reason to worry.
"We're not going to go home and think it's the end of the world," Durant said, via ESPN.com. "We lost a game against a good team. We've got to regroup and figure out what we need to do better and move on. It's the regular season. We've got to dig down deep, man. X's and O's and shootarounds and schemes and practices -- that s--- is out the window. You've got to dig down deep and decide what you want to do. And that's everybody."
Westbrook echoed those beliefs saying that the team simply lost to a better roster and they are just ready to improve before the next game. One issue the loss did highlight was the poor play of Dion Waiters that is becoming a common occurrence for the Thunder. He went 1-for-8 against the Cavaliers and is now an offensive liability for the team. According to NewsOK.com, head coach Billy Donovan still believes that Waiters should remain in the starting lineup, but if the struggles continue that might need to change.
"I've got confidence in Dion," Donovan said. "When a guy's not shooting the ball well, to me, that's when you gotta really trust him. Obviously Dion hasn't shot the ball great, but the guys in that locker room still believe he can help us."
The Thunder added Randy Foye at the trade deadline. The veteran gives the team backcourt depth, but will it be enough to help makeup for the struggles of Waiters? According to Royce Young of ESPN.com, Foye gives the team depth, but not much more. Regardless of the lack of trades and impact players, Westbrook told the media that he is confident in the current roster.
"I've been confident since the season started that we have what it takes to win a championship," Westbrook said, via ESPN.com. "I like our team and I like where we are."
