vs. 
Oklahoma City Thunder (13-14, 6-7 road) vs. Phoenix Suns (18-10, 10-1 home)
TV: KSBI (Cox 15, HD 715)
Stream: Click Here
Radio: WWLS The Sports Animal (98.1 FM, 640 AM, 97.1 FM Tulsa)
Time: 8:00 CST
Offensive Rating: Thunder – 105.5 (2oth), Suns – 113.6 (2nd)
Defensive Rating: Thunder – 104.5 (10th), Suns – 110.5 (27th)
Pace: Thunder – 91.9 (19th), Suns – 95.3 (5th)
View from the enemy: Valley of the Suns
The excuse is already put in place. Second night of a back-to-back, coming off an emotional loss to the Lakers, blah blah blah. While that’s reality and if OKC gets beat by 15, that’ll likely be something I mentioned in my sad recap, the truth is this is the NBA and if you want to do big things, back-to-backs shouldn’t matter that much.
The REAL excuse is that you’re playing a very good team on their home floor, where they’ve been near unbeatable. But that doesn’t mean they can’t be defeated there. It’s all about energy early for this team. I think we’ll know in the first six minutes whether we’re going to have a good game or not. Easy buckets are the lifeblood of the Suns offense and if they’re getting them in chunks early, it might be best to just shut the TV off.
Phoenix coming in: The Suns will be rested and ready for vengeance after dropping their first home game of the season Monday. After started the season 14-3, the Suns have gone 4-7 so far in December. Their home record might be scary looking, but these guys are beatable right now.
THE MATCHUPS
Two places OKC has a nice versus: small forward and… point guard. Yep, I think the Thunder has a leg up there, mainly because Russell Westbrook thrives against slower guards like Steve Nash. Look what happened last night against Derek Fisher. Russ has the speed to get around anyone, but make that someone a little slower and a little less quick and it’s a good thing for the Thunder. Now of course, Nash is awesome and a better point man than Westbrook, but in the sense of a matchup, I think this favors OKC a bit.
As for the three, of course the Thunder matches well. Kevin Durant could have a big time night, especially since it looks like he’s regained some confidence. Grant Hill will get the call to start with, but I’m sure Jason Richardson and Jared Dudley will see ample time on KD too. Regardless who it is, if KD’s shot is falling, he’s going to have a big night because he’s going to get open looks. I like Thabo guarding Richardson, who is really Phoenix’s top perimeter scorer. But inside, Jeff Green will have trouble with Amare. That’s a huge mistmatch for OKC. I would bet Serge Ibaka gets a lot of time on Stoudemire.
Some good news: Eric Maynor will join the team and is scheduled to play. Russell Westbrook, who had to play darn near the whole game last night is probably happy about that. And OKC will need him because as good as James Harden is, he’s not ready to handle point-guard duties in an exclusive sense yet.
We all know what Phoenix wants to do. And we know what the Thunder prides itself on. So it’s a pretty good clash. It’ll come down to OKC executing in the halfcourt, rebounding and getting just enough stops. After tonight the schedule lightens up. But it sure would be sweet to carry a nice unexpected win into an easier schedule. We’re all hoping for at least a .500 2009 and a win tonight would go a long way to getting there.
Tip at 8:00 CST. Go Eric Maynor.
@Kev
I bet Harden finds a balance soon. I think he was forcing the issue tonight, and the competition has taken a step up the last few games. I think he'll come around.
But I'm sure the coaching staff don't want both of their 2 guards passing up scoring opportunities coughthabocough.
@justin
That's true. But you know, on the other hand, I'd rather have two free throws from Harden that an open jump shot.
Also, it's our ONLY way to get the opponent's big in foul trouble. That would have come in REALLY handy tonight, to get Amare in foul trouble.
Jax Raging Bile Duct :Harden is getting to the line with frequency though, so as long as that trend continues, I’m okay with him forcing the issue a little bit.
Someone on our team needs to put pressure on the paint other than Russell. So far, our post game isn’t doing it. Maybe it will someday, but right now it isn’t, so the dribble penetration is all we have left.
as long as there is a balance - I just hate the offense where you "take the ball to the rim against multiple defenders and force the referee to make a call"
I wish (asssuming Brooks told him to pass less and shoot more) they would let Harden play his game - he knows when to finsih and when to kick . . .
@Jax Raging Bile Duct
You still put pressure on the paint by passing out to the open man. Nobody's saying Harden shouldn't get to the rim, but he should be smarter about his shot attempts. He literally collapsed the defense almost every time he beats his man, so someone is open somewhere for a shot. If he starts passing on those drives, which we know conceptually he's capable of, we'll be much better off for it.
Harden is getting to the line with frequency though, so as long as that trend continues, I'm okay with him forcing the issue a little bit.
Someone on our team needs to put pressure on the paint other than Russell. So far, our post game isn't doing it. Maybe it will someday, but right now it isn't, so the dribble penetration is all we have left.
justin :Kev it must have come from Brooks. It’s such a departure from what he’s been doing. I’m sure he’ll find a happy medium eventually.
he's missing guys left and right out on the edge - hopefully they look at tape and get it fixed . . .
Kev it must have come from Brooks. It's such a departure from what he's been doing. I'm sure he'll find a happy medium eventually.
RW's pull up shot is getting better - good point . . .
I am dismayed that Harden is being more selfish on offense - maybe it's a directive from the coach to shoot instead of pass - but he's a great passer and we have NOT seen that lately . . .
@Jax Raging Bile Duct
I think Harden was just a bit nervous in front of his home crowd... remember RW's last few games in LA (minus that last one)? Yuk.
The last 5 games, Russell has 37 assists, and 10 turnovers. Not too shabby. Especially since he's getting about 17 points and 6 rebounds to go with those. The last two games he's shot that pull-up jumper really well.
I for one, am glad to see him coming out of that slump.
I though James forced the issue a bit, but still played well and came up with big plays when we needed them.
Serge was awesome again.
KD was beastly.
@Kev
Greedy is good... greedy is very good.
B-RY :@KevI’m with ya… I’m not so sure about the excessive switching, but they do have one of the better defenses in the league statistically… so, yeah.
It could really be top 5 if we worked around the screens better -
not that I'm greedy or anything . . .
shiki=4 seasons :Maybe Grant Hill is the best defence player of Suns,but he cannot stop KD
Dudley is the best defender they have, even though Durant schooled him late . . .
@Kev
I'm with ya... I'm not so sure about the excessive switching, but they do have one of the better defenses in the league statistically... so, yeah.
justin :Someone mentioned it earlier but I laughed when Serge Ibaka boxed out on the second of three free throws by Frye. The ref kept screaming at him.
that was funny to me because I had the sound turned down and didnt know if they called it a two or a three shot foul - Ibak further confused me . . . LOL
KD is just one of those players that can't be stopped. Only KD and refs can stop KD.
B-RY :I’m certain that @Kev noticed this early in the game… but there were some defensive lapses caused by Maynor’s apparent willingness to fight through screens instead of switching… I counted at least three times that Maynor stayed with his man when the other defender switched… leaving his man wide open.
I know it’s just a style difference that will be remedied, but I instantly thought of Kev and laughed…
I applaud Maynor . . . I am NOT a fan of switching defenses - any competent offensive team will go straight to the mismatch after the switch . . .
Someone mentioned it earlier but I laughed when Serge Ibaka boxed out on the second of three free throws by Frye. The ref kept screaming at him.
Maybe Grant Hill is the best defence player of Suns,but he cannot stop KD
I'm certain that @Kev noticed this early in the game... but there were some defensive lapses caused by Maynor's apparent willingness to fight through screens instead of switching... I counted at least three times that Maynor stayed with his man when the other defender switched... leaving his man wide open.
I know it's just a style difference that will be remedied, but I instantly thought of Kev and laughed...
justin :@Kev
That’s the difference between a team like the Suns and the Lakers. The Lakers would have denied the ball to KD and Russ would have been forced to make a play either getting KD the ball on a cut like you said or creating offense on his own.
I think this game by Ibaka pushes his PER close to 15.0…
agreed . . . I think we played a much better game against the Lakers - they are just a much better team than the Suns . . .
@Kev
That's the difference between a team like the Suns and the Lakers. The Lakers would have denied the ball to KD and Russ would have been forced to make a play either getting KD the ball on a cut like you said or creating offense on his own.
I think this game by Ibaka pushes his PER close to 15.0...
justin :@555
They left Grant on an island for a lot of the game. They did some doubling on KD on the touch, but when we reset the ball they just let KD work. That last possession where KD hit the game winner I was shocked that they left Dudley on him alone. I was even more surprised about how easily Dudley let KD get the ball back.
Very poor defensive possession by the Suns, not even considering the fact that they gave up an offensive rebound. It goes to show you that when you play that style of basketball you’re going to die by it on occasion.
I was thinking the same thing - I figured Dudley would go behind RW and make KD cut to get the ball - he just stopped and let KD have it . . .
I am glad to see KD get the ball when it counts - he should be the game decider!!!
@555
They left Grant on an island for a lot of the game. They did some doubling on KD on the touch, but when we reset the ball they just let KD work. That last possession where KD hit the game winner I was shocked that they left Dudley on him alone. I was even more surprised about how easily Dudley let KD get the ball back.
Very poor defensive possession by the Suns, not even considering the fact that they gave up an offensive rebound. It goes to show you that when you play that style of basketball you're going to die by it on occasion.
justin :This makes the Lakes loss a little more annoying. We could have easily swept this back to back..
I think ANY of us would have been happy with a split if you asked us on Sunday night . . .
Eric Maynor looked hesitant but I guess that's to be expected in his first game with no practice time. I liked that little floater he attempted in the lane, had a soft touch and almost bounced in. That baseline jumper was a big shot off the rebound.
He seems steady but unlike Wilks, Livingston, Weaver, etc. he has the ability to break down a defense and possibly even score a little on his own. I think he'll be alright.
justin :Also Grant Hill looked very old and slow in this game.
I hate to amit this because Grant Hill was my favorite player when he was still in Detroit, but he is 37 and KD just turned 21 not too long ago... Hard to keep running around with KD. Also, the Suns is a pretty bad defensive team so nobody really came out to help Grant Hill neither. Poor guy.
Anyway despite Harden's poor shot selection and Ibaka's penchant for fouling, the bench is obviously vastly improved from the beginning of the season. We actually built a lead with the bench on the floor in the first half and kept the game small in the fourth quarter with the second unit in there. Not sure if that would have been possible earlier in the season. I'm very happy with the bench production overall.
Kev :
justin :Can’t believe we won this game. KD pulled it out of his hat, those two threes to start the half, the shots at the end. This is the KD we need to end games.Props to Russ too for letting KD do the work and setting him up.Crazy win.
I concur . . .
Agreed... Westbrook had two very good games and that's what he's capable of and should continue to play like these two games in the future. KD played crazily good... And this game Thunder needed every points of his too. Grant Hill is slightly above average defensive player or at least the best defensive player for the Suns, he did bother KD for a bit but also caused him to be fouled out... After that, Dudley, couldn't stand a chance. It's really good to see KD's 3pts shots falling tonight.
Hopefully Green had a good game too, played like Green... Ha, ha... Not sure if that make sense... Chipped in in different area, and great tip in.
Kind of not fair, Thunder had 2 players foul out for guarding Stoudemire and Suns only lost one player. It also showed that Thunder do need a good big man in the center bad...
Last, I thought Maynor played pretty good as the backup for Westbrook and it was also his first game with the Thunder.
It just beamed on me, what a handy bench we have shaping up now.
@The DON wants to have Harden’s & Ibaka’s offspring
I agree, I am merely stating that he has not played very well lately. He seems to have have misplaced his excellent court vision. He has 1 assist in the last 3 games.
andrew :
Another note on Harden.. He HAS THE MAKINGS TO BE THE CHOCOLATE GINOBILI
FIXED
Yeah Harden has to play smarter. He will probably get it together but he went from one extreme of not looking for his offense to the other where he's jacking up really poor shots and not finding the open man.
If he can split the difference he'll be real good because he can break down a defense pretty much whenever he wants.
Also Grant Hill looked very old and slow in this game.
Another note on Harden.. He has not shot over 50% in a game the whole month of december
justin :
If JAMES HARDEN doesn’t GET THAT REBOUND I don’t think we win, the Suns looked like they had some swagger and that really killed it.
FIXED
This makes the Lakes loss a little more annoying. We could have easily swept this back to back..
If Jeff Green doesn't make that play I don't think we win, the Suns looked like they had some swagger and that really killed it.
The DON wants to have Harden’s & Ibaka’s offspring :@justin
No I think your player of the game is harden for that offensive rebound that led to KD’s game winner
Harden did NOT play well tonight...
@The DON wants to have Harden’s & Ibaka’s offspring
Monroe is more of a finesse big. We've got those. I want a big dude who can throw guys of him whether it be for a rebound or a dunk. Monroe is a great player, but I just don't think he is what this team needs.
Man, the next 8 games on the schedule are games OKC should be favored.@Washington@Milwaukee@Chicago
, New Orleans, Indiana, New York.
And what's with commentators and columnists saying things like "The Thunder showing they're still a year away", how about "Thunder showing it's hard to win when you have 5 of 6 games against teams that played in the 2nd round of the playoffs last year". Are we going to vault to the top of the power rankings in the next two weeks when we go 7-1 over this next stretch?
@The DON wants to have Harden’s & Ibaka’s offspring
That too.
@justin
No I think your player of the game is harden for that offensive rebound that led to KD's game winner
justin :We won this game because we got some very tough plays to end it. That Jeff Green put back was the biggest. I think he’s my player of the game just for that play.
Hey hey, lets not get ahead of ourselves. Great put back by Jeff, but KD is hands down player of the game and then IBAKA.
a crazy game and KD is god today
maynor had a good first outing, way better then any backup PG we have had
Since I bashed on Westbrook for a week, I just wanted to give props to him for the 2nd night in a row. He played a very good game.
We won this game because we got some very tough plays to end it. That Jeff Green put back was the biggest. I think he's my player of the game just for that play.
@clarkem
I will be more than happy with Greg Monroe too
now home for them to rest and beat the chandlerless bobcats