vs. 
OKC Thunder (16-14, 8-7 road) at Washington Wizards (10-19, 5-7 home)
TV: FS Oklahoma (Cox 37, HD 722, Tulsa Cox 27, DirectTV 679, UVerse 753)
Stream: Click Here
Radio: WWLS The Sports Animal (98.1 FM, 640 AM, 97.1 FM Tulsa)
Time: 6:00 CST
Offensive Rating: Thunder – 106.4 (17th), Wizards – 104.6 (22nd)
Defensive Rating: Thunder – 104.5 (8th), Wizards – 108.0 (20th)
Pace: Thunder – 92.1 (20th), Wizards – 94.3 (9th)
View from the enemy: Truth About It
I always like it when players get to go home and play. Tonight, Jeff Green and Kevin Durant are both back in their hometown to play professional basketball. It has to be a nice feeling. But it often worries me too. A lot of times, you see guys press and try too hard because they feel just that little tinge of pressure to perform in front of friends and family. Hopefully, we don’t see that tonight.
Because after earning the first three-game win streak, Oklahoma City has a real shot at four straight. But this game feels like a trap. Washington is talented, and their 10-19 record is a horrible indication of the talent on the roster. That said, they don’t play hard every night. They don’t max out effort. And coming off an overtime loss in Memphis, we might be fortunate to see the flat Wizards this evening. Because when they really, really want to, they can be good.
The Wizards coming in: As mentioned, Washington is coming off an overtime loss against Memphis last night. In their last five, the Wiz are 2-3 with wins against Milwaukee and Philly.
THE MATCHUPS
The Wizards’ starting five is pretty good. Gilbert Arenas, Antwan Jamison, Caron Butler, Brendan Haywood and Randy Foye make a nice unit. But that bench. It’s bad. Major advantage for the Thunder there. James Harden will certainly play better than his 0-10 night last night and with Serge Ibaka back to playing well and Nick Collison’s steady contributions, that’s where OKC can likely take over this game.
The thing I like about the matchup overall is the Wizards don’t defend. And we know about OKC’s success when scoring 100. I would assume the Thunder will get there tonight. Butler can’t guard Durant. Arenas probably won’t try to guard Westbrook. Jamison is a pretty hard worker so he’ll give a good show on Jeff Green, but up and down the list, the Thunder have opportunity to score.
The first meeting, OKC blasted Washington 127-108 as Durant notched 35 and Westbrook 26. Again, I fear this game because the Wiz are decent at home, but with the way OKC defends and the way Washington doesn’t, I’d expect the Thunder to have some success offensively. It’s about shutting down the weapons for the Wiz, or just hoping they don’t show up.
Tip at 6:00 CST. Go Focus.
Oh, and we already have more road wins than last year...
Can't believe the Wizards were +2 favorites for this game--Vegas lost some money tonight!
girlballer :
I am totally STOKED about the possibilities in this game! Durant and Green are going to be amped up to be bringing their new and improved, over-500 ball-club back home to D.C.! I predict 20+ for Green and 35+ for Durant! Also, the much more motivated Westbrook will get inspired by his comrades and go double-double with points and assists.
Look for Harden to come back with his shot improved (can’t be worse than last night!) and our 2nd unit will be the deciding factor–as their bench leaves a bit to be desired.
Thunder UP!!! (Yeah— I WENT THERE!)
Our bench: 10-16 from the field, 6-8 FT, 1 TO, 28 pts
Their bench: 2-14 from the field, 4-4 FT, 3 TO, 8 pts
KD is averaging almost 35 points on just over 20 FG attempts in the last five games, which is pretty much insane.
I ain't sayin, but we are 2.5 games out of the lead right now,...I'm just sayin'...
@f5alcon
Oh how hilarious would it be if a simple cash dump trade was all it took to throw us into the contender ring? I mean, we've beaten up on nobodies outside of Phoenix, but still, haven't lost since he started playing for us.
@f5alcon
Hey, u might be on to something there...it could be the fact we finally go a pg to come in and give some special play.
Our starting PG and SG combine for 14 rebounds (7 a piece). Our starting PF, C, and main backup PF/C combined for only 13 (4,5,4 respectively). Add to that our SF grabbed nearly as many by himself (11) and it's just weird. I know Brooks wants everyone involved, but those are loopy numbers.
That's our 11th win by 10 or more after only 6 last year. Longest win streak in OKC history was three. Oh, and win #17 last year was March 8th...
Someone needs to teach Kristic how to block out. The O-rebounds he was giving up were rediculous.
dream catcher :
andrew :
Russ is our point guard of the future, maynor is not… therefore russ gets the crunch time minutes
says who?
It is not only my personal belief, but we can safely assume that scotty is thinking the same thing. Also russell played well tonight, if he hadnt it might have been a different story..
now lets come home beat utah and continue to push this streak, it will be interesting to see maynor light it up against the team that traded him, we havnt lost since we got him.
good win...
good win, really not much to complain about except the poor effort in the 1st half, and most of the 3rd, but they took over in the 4th...
Frustrating first 3 quarters, good 4th. Solid win I think, Washington looked more like what they should be rather than how they've been all year. That could be as a result of poor play by us, but I'll take the win.
This was an impressive road win, Washington brought it. Once again the defense picked up as the game went on and we killed it in the fourth quarter. Encouraging to see.
4 IN A ROW!!!!!!
Russ is taking too many shots at the end I wonder if this is by design.
andrew :
Russ is our point guard of the future, maynor is not… therefore russ gets the crunch time minutes
says who?
That TO was Thabo's fault IMO
andrew :Russ is our point guard of the future, maynor is not… therefore russ gets the crunch time minutes
You don't know that yet, but if Russ continues to play well and gets better it stays that way, if not who knows.
Russ is our point guard of the future, maynor is not... therefore russ gets the crunch time minutes
Our play in fourth quarters has been incredible lately... you'd love for them to be more consistent the rest of the games but man.
This is very similar to how the last game against Washington went, we went.
Russ says anything you can do..
Yesss Russ catch and shoot wayy better than pull ups.
dream catcher :
why take out Maynor?
……….
russ finishes wide open fast breaks better :)
justin :
Because Russ is playing well on offense too..
I agree but Maynor was really hot on offense......
Jeff Green appeared finally!!!
Ten assists to one turnover now for Russ.
Lets GO Thunder! :-)
Because Russ is playing well on offense too..
why take out Maynor?
..........
James knows how, it's just when will he.
I like how Maynor dumped it off on the drive for the assist, it's what James Harden has to learn.
Russ，do you feel a gun behind your head?
yeah maynor is a great slasher, gives us a different look offense, now just need to harness that with a pick and roll with ibaka and our 2nd will be amazing
Eric Maynor's been doo doo on defense like the rest of the team but what an offensive surge.
Maynor is making me feel a lil frisky.
I am absolutely loving Maynor
Nice defense there.
Wow. Maynor is really playing nice.
I'm loving that Maynor kid!! pause.
AWESOME play by Maynor
Nick must have like Royce's post today, haha
Wow Collison is really playing hard.
@justin
That I like
As poor as he's shooting Russ has 9 assists and 1 turnover today.
Come on guys, rebound
Haha, I'm not sure about that decision by Nick. But it did work I suppose.