The past few games, third quarters had killed the Thunder. Over the last three, OKC had been outscored by an average of almost eight points coming out of the locker room. Tonight, a much different story.
The Thunder outscored New Jersey 31-14 in the third, which included a 9-0 run to start the period. That run essentially sealed the deal as OKC went on to handle the Nets 94-85. We thought the Thunder (10-35) would come out intense and hungry after the poor showing in Los Angeles. And they sure did.
Even through a sloppy first half, the Thunder were playing inspired defense. The rotation was great and the effort on the glass was noticeable. The Thunder piled up 12 offensive boards in the first half alone with Nenad Krstic having five to himself. OKC held the Nets (20-25) to just 40 points on 38 percent shooting. Every shot the Nets took had a Thunder player flying in their face, disrupting their shot. Desmond Mason had just eight tonight, but he was especially active on the defensive end. That’s one reason I really like Des – no matter what, he’s playing hard. Every team needs a guy like him. I hope he sticks around.
So the margin wound up being just nine after OKC had led by 30 at one point. The Nets outscored OKC 31-12 in the fourth. Any reason for concern? Here’s all you need to know – Damien Wilkins played nine minutes in the fourth. That should explain it. In other words – no concern, no worry. Let me put it this way: OKC’s starters: +23, +26, +23, +25, +19. OKC’s bench: -13, -11, -10, -1, -19, -17. Yeeeah.
Kevin Durant wasn’t really needed tonight, scoring just 18. Well, he was needed of course, but he didn’t have to pour in 45 minutes and be the man. He played 37 minutes, including three when he was just a token presence on the floor as the clock wound down. But Durant scored nine of his 18 in the third – the point where OKC took the game over. Russell Westbrook was excellent, playing stiff defense on Devin Harris who just had 10 on 4-17 shooting. Westbrook had 13 points, eight rebounds and four assists in just 23 minutes. Very nice game for the rook.
A few stats: The Thunder really won this game at the charity stripe, hitting 30-38 from the line. The Nets hit just 13-18 free throws. OKC did work on the boards again, outrebounding New Jersey 52-45. Five Thunder players scored double figures, compared to the Nets whose leading scorer had 18 and nobody else had more than 11.
Oklahoma City has now won three of its last four at home and the Nets, who have been better on the road than at home, drop to 11-11 away from home. But in fairness, this may have felt like a home game for the Nets seeing as about 5,000 people braved the ridiculously icy conditions and gave up another Bedlam Beatdown for the Sooners to make it the Ford tonight.
Oh, and by the way, that’s 10 wins. You know what that means. One day off and then OKC hits the wood again to hopefully get revenge on the Grizzlies Wednesday night. And is it weird that 10-35 looks really, really good to me? That should be weird, right?
I thought Nick came out with a vengeance to start the game. The third quarter and the first half of the fourth quarter was some of the best basketball I've seen us play. Even Earl Watson couldn't make us look bad in that stretch.
But then the last 8 minutes arrived, and it's some of the worst NBA basketball I've ever seen in my life. A 20-0 run is just sorry. I think it does a disservice to the effort that your starters put in. It has to be frustrating to watch a team you beat by 30 come within 4, while you're on the bench.
Brooks emptied the bench too early. I hope he takes note of this for the next time we're up by 30 with 8 minutes to go.
What's even more frustrating, is I drove in bad weather conditions to go watch that mess. If it weren't for the spectacular effort up until the 8 minute mark, I'd be irate. Whatever, I'm glad its a W and I'm glad it's over.
Not much I fear... I would like to see him play some at the end of the season... just to see if his post game translates to the NBA... which I'm sure it does... We may not get to see him much till next year.
@MartzMimic
lol, nice!
Speaking of White, what do you guys expect from him next season?
There was 1 reason, and 1 reason only, for the fourth quarter meltdown: D.J. White's jaw. If D.J. were healthy, we would have had the 5 Ws on the floor: Watson, Weaver, Wilkens, Wilcox and White. Some will point out that Westbrook would have also given us a fifth "W," but he wouldn't have the camaraderie gained from riding the pine with the others. Mr. First-Letter-in-the-Alphabet Atkins is simply too far away to guarantee a W in the win column. Phil Jackson would have recognized that this was bad karma, and at the the very least, would have thrown sWift into that lineup.
Actually, the fourth quarter tonight perfectly illustrated how important player pairs actually are. Wilcox looks good with the starters in sometimes. He looked like Crap late in the fourth. Same with Weaver. Not crap, but he didn't look as good playing with Wilkins and Wilcox.
I agree with Brian Davis actually (which is really hard to believe), those guys, Wilkins and Wilcox especially, should have stepped up more if they want bigger roles. I am sure they were trying, but basketball is a bottom line sport. Bottom line they didn't get it done.
I hope Presti was watching, and I hope all the other GM's out there who might be fooled into taking Wilcox and Wilkins and maybe Watson weren't watching.
Keep talking Crow. I like it!
Nice defense tonight until about 8 minutes left in the fourth.
Nice win though. If I detracted from enjoyment of it I apologize. If the hot streak extends I may have to revise some of my assessment, throw out much of the data from the past.
To tune up a car you look for what isn't working right.
If the GM is supposed to be a star at car design and / or maintenance, lots of big problems can make you scratch your head.
But I probably should stop trying to see full design or complete operating success right now. But when it is fair to check, mid- next year, the season after, the season after that? Ill probably still check but not sure if I'll still be talking about it. So I squeeze my questions & comments in now.
KD's compressive shoulder brace that he's been wearing lately makes him look silly. I reckon he should get the sleeve crankin soon. All the superstars seem to have one.
I love you, Crow.
Westbrook-Kristic pairing has weak early numbers, Westbrook's worst. Durant-Westbrook has slipped to Westbrook's second worst though it is Durant's second best. Kristic in non-positive territory with everyone. But he is new. Durant isn't new but is negative with everyone too the only other player not to have a single positive pair. Stuff still to work out.
If I'm looking at 10-35 next year, I'm pretty sure it won't be looking good.
Honestly, I'm expecting a 20-25 record or something near that through 45 next year.
"And is it weird that 10-35 looks really, really good to me? That should be weird, right?"
Just this year Royce... just this year.
man did we look good in that 3rd Qtr or what?...