vs. 
Portland Trail Blazers 47-27, 16-20 road) vs. Thunder (21-53, 14-23 home)
TV: FS Oklahoma HD (Cox 37, HD 722)
Radio: WWLS The Sports Animal (98.1 FM, 640 AM)
Time: 7:00 CST
Offensive Rating: Thunder: 103.2 (28th), Portland: 113.7 (1st)
Defensive Rating: Thunder: 109.3 (20th), Portland: 108.7 (18th)
Pace:Thunder: 93.5 (8th), Portland: 86.7 (30th)
Last time the Thunder beat the Spurs, they responded with a flat, uninspired performance against the Bulls. Do that again, and we may be taking a trip down P.J. Carlesimo lane with a home blowout loss. Hopefully, the team carries the momentum of beating one of the premier teams in the league at their place with them. One would assume OKC’s confidence would be sky high and they’d feel great going into this game. But I don’t think the Thunder plays that well when they think they’re “good.” They can’t take possessions for granted. They can’t just wait to turn it on like the Lakers or Celtics do. It’s got to be a full 48 minute grind.
I actually remember thinking during that Bulls game at some point in the first half (a half where OKC led the entire way), “Man, this team is playing with a little swagger. They look confident.” And of course the Bulls outscored OKC 51-40 in the second half, winning 103-96. Confidence is one of the most important things in sports. When you’re confident, you feel good about yourself and you play better. I firmly believe that. But when you’re not all that great and you’re a bit over-confident to the point where you think you can take possessions off or not work as hard on the glass, you’re going to get beat. So tonight, after an extremely impressive win over the Spurs, let’s hope nothing is taken for granted.
I love what the Blazers do and it’s a treat when they come to town. I’d give anything (and by anything I mean Earl Watson and a second round pick) to have Brandon Roy. I love his game and I love his leadership. But the Thunder matches up well against Portland. Kyle Weaver did decent work on Roy in the first two meetings, but now the Thunder features Thabo Sefolosha guarding the two. And a guy like Thabo could give Roy fits. He’s long enough to bother Roy’s jumper and quick enough to defend his dribble-drive. Nicolas Batum is their stopper and guarded Kevin Durant pretty well in OKC last time registering two blocks on KD, but still Durant put up 51 points in the two games against Portland. Travis Outlaw has been a pretty good Thunder killer off the bench for the Blazers, scoring 41 points in the two games.
Portland is the slowest team in the league, but yet has the highest offensive efficiency rating. They shoot an extremely high percentage from the field (eighth in league) and from three (seventh). They get quality possessions and good shots almost every time down the floor, which is not something the Thunder can say.
The Blazers come in having won three blowouts at home. If I were a playoff team and I were matched up with Portland and they had home court advantage, I think I’d save time and forfeit. They are that good at the Rose Garden. But for some reason, they don’t translate that awesomeness to the road where they’re 16-20 away from the Rose. A nice example would be the 102-93 win the Thunder had in OKC which turned into a 106-92 loss in Portland. The Thunder surely play better at home and seem to take advantage of these “great at home, stinky on the road” playoff teams.
One of only four remaining home games. How sad. But that means next year is almost here. And we all know what we’re counting on next year.
Tip at 7:00 CST. Go home team.
Keith :
Royce, as much as you didn’t want to be, you look like a fortune teller. Atrocious game from the Thunder. Scotty Brooks better get on his guys hard for a game like this.
I hate being so smart.
The roster stands at 15 if you include Mason, DJ and Weaver. So, no we really don't have a roster spot.
Do we have a roster spot to sign Gary Forbes?
Royce, as much as you didn't want to be, you look like a fortune teller. Atrocious game from the Thunder. Scotty Brooks better get on his guys hard for a game like this.
PPPPPP--whew! if anyone has anything positive to say about that game, please share!
Here's the box from the Tulsa game. Looks to have been a much better game than the Portland game (I didn't get to see it, blacked out on League Pass) http://www.nba.com/dleague/games/boxscore.jsp?gameId=2020800350
Weaver played all 48 minutes, ridiculous stat line. 11/17, 7 rebs, 11 boards. Like a highschool game for these guys. Same with DJ, 28 points, 7 boards. Gary Forbes also had a big time game, 9 assists, 7 boards and 22 points. He got to the line 11 times. He must be a heck of a slasher.
@Joe
I saw that. Yeah, that's how he's been playing so far, mostly setting up the offense. At roughly the end of the 1st quarter, Weaver is 4-5, 1-1 from 3, with a couple boards, an assist and a steal. Also two or three deflected passes and a taken charge (though it was judged a no-call).
White is looking good on offense and suspect on defense so far, but is showing a variety of moves and a pretty nice midrange jumper. We'll see how he does the rest of the game.
Oh, nevermind, here is the answer from Darnell's blog:
WHY WEAVER GOT SENT DOWN
Brooks explained Weaver’s assignment to the Tulsa 66ers Friday by saying it’s simply an opportunity for the rookie guard to get more playing time. Weaver was averaging 19.6 minutes over his past five games with the Thunder. He figures to be getting twice that in Tulsa while also having an opportunity to have the ball in his hands more, play some minutes at point guard and have more freedom to develop his game.
“He’s going to be able to play there two games and only miss one game here,” said Brooks, indicating Weaver is likely to be recalled prior to Sunday’s game against Indiana. ”I like what he has done for us, and he will continue to improve because he is a great worker. But he’s getting minutes down there and it helps when you get minutes. I know he was getting 16, 17 minutes up here, but he’s getting 40 minutes down there. I thought he did a good job. He was filling up the stat sheet. They didn’t win the game, but I thought his numbers and his play was pretty good. So he’s just getting an opportunity to play extra minutes.”
Emphasis mine. :O)
@Joe
Good point, but I just haven't heard anything about him being recalled. Tulsa is about two hours away. Maybe Weaver drove himself down for the game. Here's to hoping - I don't want any Damien Wilkins if I can help it.
Is anybody actually sure that Weaver won't be in Thunder blue tonight. He's been a part of the rotation and I hate the thought of more Chucky or Damien. How far is Tulas, a couple of hours drive?
Has it been announced that Weaver will be with Tulsa tonight?
@Kev
Thanks! I'll be watching on and off as well.
I will be taking notes at the game - I will give you a mini-report in the morning . . .
@kev
I'm really curious how much point guard Weaver plays. And also, how much scoring D.J. White does with his back to the basket.
I live in Tulsa, and I plan on going to the 66ers game tonight to check out Weaver and White - let me know if you guys have anything specific that you want me to observe - of course I am Tivoing the THunder game . . .
Nice write-up, I'm looking forward to watching Westbrook and Durant tonight.
I hope Brooks has everyone taking notes when they're not in the game. Portland knows how to develop talent and put players together to make a team. There isn't a single player on the Thunder who couldn't improve simply by trying harder to emulate the Blazers' philosophy and team spirit.