Plenty to Learn from and Build Upon for Thunder

LAS VEGAS – Out of a first quarter timeout, the Thunder forced a turnover, then pushed the ball up floor and started to work through its offensive set. The only difference was, the New Orleans Pelicans defense wasn’t moving the way it had the previous five minutes. The Pelicans had tossed in a zone defense, one that the Thunder knew might come at them, but didn’t over-emphasize. It was a chance to see how players reacted on the fly.

On one possession, second-year guard Théo Maledon sliced into the paint and made a properly-angled cross-court pass into the far corner for an open three-point look. On another possession, rookie forward Jeremiah Robinson-Earl cut sharply to the high post and…