OKC Thunder: Kendrick Perkins tells critics 'check my winning percentage'

Brooks said he doesn't know how long Liggins will be with the team before another possible D-League assignment. But he said rookie forward Perry Jones III likely will be next in line to be sent to Tulsa for a chance to play minutes.

“Soon,” Brooks said when asked when PJ3 might be assigned.

ONWARD AND UPWARD

After a record-setting 13-4 record in November, the Thunder is hoping to carry over that momentum to a much lighter 13-game December schedule.

Three keys for the month, Brooks said, include defending the 3-point line, improving the defensive rebounding and guarding the pick-and-roll better.

The Thunder finished in the top third of the league in 3-point defense for November, giving up just 33.9 percent from behind the arc.

But OKC ranked 25th in opponent offensive rebounds at 12.2 per game.

“Rebounding is always key for us,” Brooks said. “If we can rebound we can get out in transition and score.”

NO CONTEST

Prior to Saturday's game at New Orleans, the Thunder was thrashing recent opponents.

In its previous six victories, Oklahoma City won by an average of 16.7 points. That margin included two overtime victories, a seven-point win and a six-point win. But it also included a record-setting 45-point drubbing against Charlotte last Monday.

The Thunder entered the Hornets game leading the league in point differential at plus-9.2. New Orleans ranked second-to-last at minus-5.8.

By Darnell Mayberry