His substitution patterns always are a hot topic of discussion, and last week Billy Donovan was asked if it's safe to assume he'll alter them in the postseason.
At the end of the year, Donovan said, “we'll find out if we're in the playoffs or not in the playoffs.”
“We've got to earn our way in there,” Donovan said.
The message: assume nothing. Though the Thunder still remains a favorite to secure one of the eight Western Conference playoff spots, there are no guarantees as Oklahoma City carries a three-game winning streak into Sunday's game with New Orleans.