vs. 
Thunder (20-51, 6-28 road) at Toronto Raptors (26-45, 15-20 home)
TV: FS Oklahoma (Cox 37)
Radio: WWLS The Sports Animal (98.1 FM, 640 AM)
Time: 6:00 CST
Offensive Rating: Thunder: 103.3 (28th), Raptors: 106.3 (23rd)
Defensive Rating: Thunder: 109.1 (20th), Raptors: 109.9 (21st)
Pace: Thunder: 93.6 (8th), Raptors: 91.5 (16th)
Get your DVR’s ready! Sweet 16, Thunder-Raptors? Sweet 16, Thunder-Raptors? Decisions, decisions. Plus you’ve got Supernanny at 8:00. I think I know where my DVR is going.
OKC’s got a chance at another season sweep in Toronto tonight, with the Thunder taking game one 91-83 against a, let’s just say less than inspired Raptor ballclub. Toronto shot 36 percent that night and looked like they took roofies at halftime. That game had maybe my favorite Thunder play of the year with Nick Collison getting on the floor and wrestling away a loose ball from Chris Bosh late in the fourth quarter which led to a Jeff Green icer.
The Raps have won two in a row and while they are one of the league’s most disappointing teams, they still have talent. For whatever reason things haven’t worked this year, but this isn’t going to be anything easy for the Thunder. Heck, when is anything ever easy for a 20-51 team?
This is a different Raptor squad than we saw back in December (when we were 2 and 24!) as they’ve added Shawn Marion and traded Jermaine O’Neal and Jamario Moon. Which actually makes me like OKC’s matchups better. Andrea Bargnani moved into the starting center role and his game is mostly on the perimeter. Which is good because Nenad Krstic doesn’t typically have as much problem with jumpshooters. And add Marion who isn’t as good a defender as Moon, so Kevin Durant might be able to get loose tonight.
KD has struggled a bit since he’s been back but seemed to regain his offense a little in the second half against the Lakers. Russell Westbrook had an excellent night last time these two teams hooked up as he went for 19 points on 7-12 shooting and dished out eight assists. Westbrook seems to match up really well against opposing point guards that don’t play defense. Crazy, I know.
I’m a little curious about who Scott Brooks will use on Marion. Anthony Parker is the starting two for Toronto but he’s not much of a scorer. I wonder if it would make sense to swap Thabo and Durant and have Thabo guard Marion.
Now we all know about six people will be watching this game with the Sweet 16 going on tonight, but this could be OKC’s second straight road win. Two in a row… ON THE ROAD!
Tip is at 6:00. Go DVR.
donuteyes :there’s going to be some real drama behind the scenes at kwtv9 tonight! (i’m embarrassed that i knew their call letters from memory…) a battle between dean blevins’ sooner obsession, and gary england’s stormgasms! that’s the true competition tonight, will we see more austin johnson or val castor? val? val? we’ve lost val…
I laughed out loud. Very loud. Well played.
I hate to overstate the importance of a game between two teams that haven't been in the playoff hunt for months, but if we all expect the Thunder to be a .500 team next year and take that next step, this is a game you win.
I'll be really interested to see if we come out and play with passion and try and stick to a Raptors team that can have their fans turn on them in a hurry. I think this is one of the 2 or 3 most important games for this team the rest of the year in regards to gauging next season's possbilities.
there's going to be some real drama behind the scenes at kwtv9 tonight! (i'm embarrassed that i knew their call letters from memory...) a battle between dean blevins' sooner obsession, and gary england's stormgasms! that's the true competition tonight, will we see more austin johnson or val castor? val? val? we've lost val...
joey :
I think the issue is whether or not the local cbs weather station will ruin the NCAA Tournament. We may not have a choice but to watch the Thunder if that happens!
I love Gary and all, but how updated do I need to be…”Wait, wait, yes, it is confirmed: It’s still snowing. Next update in five minutes.”
This. Is. So. True.
DVR-- greatest invention since the portable DVD system for car rides with kids! (Parents am I right?) My 10 and 5 yr-olds even prefer to watch their favorite shows after a time delay so they can fast-forward thru the commercials! I will NOT be watching 20 minutes of weather updates and fancy radar maps for every 10 minutes of basketball, NO THANKS!!!
I think the issue is whether or not the local cbs weather station will ruin the NCAA Tournament. We may not have a choice but to watch the Thunder if that happens!
I love Gary and all, but how updated do I need to be..."Wait, wait, yes, it is confirmed: It's still snowing. Next update in five minutes." :)
@Jax Raging Bile Duct
That's my gameplan as well. Should be a busy night.
My DVR will be working overtime tonight. The weather will have me firmly placed in front of my TV for hours on end. I just might catch all 4 NCAA games AND the Thunder W.
I'm in too, my bracket is already busted anyway!
So I'm one of the six tonight... anyone else?