It was early in the first quarter and the game had yet to really form much of an identity. Then on one quick defense-to-offense possession, the Thunder injected its attitude into it.
Russell Westbrook dove on the ground for a loose ball in the Thunder’s defensive half. Grabbing it as he spun, Westbrook flipped the ball over his head to Steven Adams, who slapped it over to Victor Oladipo, who in turn flipped it to Andre Roberson for a fast break dunk. It may have been straight from the Harlem Globetrotters playbook, but it was a catalyst, and helped the Thunder pick up a fifth straight win, 101-92 over the New Orleans Pelicans.