With five games left in the regular season, the Oklahoma City Thunder are currently holding on to a half game lead over the New Orleans Pelicans for the 8th and final playoff spot in the Western Conference.
OKC has lost three in a row, and are now tied with the Pelicans in the loss column, which is significant, because New Orleans has the tie-breaker over the Thunder due to winning three out of four from OKC in the season series.
Thunder head coach Scott Brooks said Monday, April 6, his team needs to play better defense down the stretch, but just a few plays have gone against them resulting in losses.
Brooks also said they knew this would be a difficult stretch, particularly with so many injured players not playing for the Thunder.
Brooks says he looks to see how the Pelicans did each game, but knows the Thunder can’t worry about New Orleans, they have to concentrate on what they can control.
Thunder guard Anthony Morrow has never played in the playoffs before, and he says he’s doing all he can to help the Thunder get into the playoffs this year.
He also realizes there are a lot of things he can’t control, such as how his former team the Pelicans are doing.
OKC hosts San Antonio on Tuesday night, April 7, at 7:00 at Chesapeake Arena.
In this video are comments from Scott Brooks and Anthony Morrow.