vs. 
Okla. City Thunder (27-21, 12-11 road) vs. New Orleans Hornets (26-22, 16-6 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: 7:00 CST
Offensive Rating: Thunder – 106.3 (17th), Hornets – 107.2 (14th)
Defensive Rating: Thunder – 103.3 (6th), Hornets – 108.5 (19th)
Pace: Thunder – 92.1 (18th), Hornets – 92.0 (20th)
View from the enemy: Hornets 24/7
No rest for the Thunder. No time to be satisfied about a big win 24 hours ago. It’s up and out of Oklahoma City and on to the next one. And the next one happens to be pretty darn important.
The Thunder and Hornets are separated by a game in the standings and with New Orleans already having a win over OKC, the tiebreaker swings their way right now. Last time the two teams met, Chris Paul took over late and OKC couldn’t put the ball in the basket in the fourth. But now there’s no CP3 and the Hornets are struggling just a bit without their star. Good news for the Thunder I guess. (Plus we don’t have to scream and throw things at our TV because Paul won’t be there to take overdramtatic falls and get fouls called for him. No, I’m not bitter.)
New Orleans coming in: Obviously no Chris Paul. But if NOLA has an advantage it’s that they should have the fresh legs since they last played on Monday. In their last 10, NOLA is 6-4. However, without Paul, the Hornets are 1-2. So it’s a whole new ballgame. The Hornets are 16-6 at home though.
THE MATCHUPS
Darren Collison has played really well in CP3′s steed. But what’s interesting about his matchup with Russell Westbrook is that the two were tight backcourt mates at UCLA. Collison has been fantastic filling in for Paul, dropping 14 assists Monday night to go along with 16 points. Before that, he had 18 dimes against Memphis. That’s right, he’s averaging 16 assists a game over the last two. That’s impressive. So Russ will have to tap his deep Bruin knowledge to defend Collison.
David West just seems to always have his way with OKC. He’s tough to defend for anyone, but his little step-back jumper always seems to get Jeff Green. Still, Green is playing with renewed confidence and aggressiveness, so I actually kind of like the matchup. West will have to carry the scoring load for the Hornets so Green holding West down a little is extremely large.
Marcus Thornton has picked up a lot of scoring slack, as he netted 25 Monday night. He’s good at getting to the basket and has a nice mid-range jumper. He’ll require Thabo’s full attention. Overall, the Thunder should have the matchup battle won. As well as Collison has played, the Thunder’s bench is deeper and there are just more scoring options for OKC. A big key is keeping Emeka Okafor off the glass and limiting Peja’s open looks from deep.
I really kind of like back-to-backs. Obviously they’re hard to win, but they’re fun as a fan because either you have the good taste of a win in your mouth lingering and you can’t wait to try and do it again, or you want to wash away the bitterness of a loss. This time, we get to ride the momentum of a three-game streak into one.
Tip at 7:00 CST. Go THUHNDAH.
Joel :
blazer fans have a tendance to put down KD so they can convice themself that Oden is better. they need a beat down
They need more than a bat down my friend, they need to be slaughtered. Gutted like fish even.
justin :Portland losing to Utah by 16.. if Phoenix loses to Denver also we’ll be .5 games out of the six seed.
That's why I thought tonight's game was huge...
Also, I just wanted the Thunder to beat NOH after losing to them 10 times or something in a row...
blazer fans have a tendance to put down KD so they can convice themself that Oden is better. they need a beat down
I CANNOT WAIT TILL THE BLAZER GAME NEXT WEEK!
Obviously because we owe their fanbase a bloodbath, and also because they are most likely gonna be 29-22 after tonight while we are now 28-21 which means that game will have huge significance with regard to standings and playoff positioning for us
Portland losing to Utah by 16.. if Phoenix loses to Denver also we'll be .5 games out of the six seed.
Yeah i agree withu guys KD must have been tired cause he would have rebounde better than that but hes got two days off hell get it right saturday but overall good win tonight
Durant seems to be more affected by rest than others. I am not looking at the stats, but it seems to make sense. He plays a ton of minutes, defenders often get physical with him to slow him down, and he's the focal point of the entire team every minute he plays. He seems to still shoot well (likely from getting in a groove), but the rest of his game seems down if he doesn't have enough time between games.
Anyone know what happened to West?
@Durantula
LOL you're correct. KD is still behind Carmelo by the smallest margin. This is nuts.
I don't think the idea of Serge starting next season should be ruled out. Obviously, if you can swing a trade for a Chandler-type center you make that deal, but take a look at Ibaka's per 36 numbers: 11.2 pts on 51% shooting, 10.7 reb, 2.1 blocks. The boy is still raw and growing, and I probably wouldn't stick Ibaka at starter immediately, but I think at this point it's pretty safe to say that "solid bench guy" is his absolute floor.
Am I wrong or is KD ONE POINT short of the scoring lead?
I mean lead?
So does KD take the scoring title with 30?
I was giddy when Ibaka grabbed the offensive board, kicked it out to Green for the three. I think he reads these comments.
KD was ok, I think he must be tired since he since he always attract so many attention from the other teams when he has the ball.
This game shouldn't had been that close but it was a good game that they stayed together and finished it with a win... Yeah, 4 game streak and 7 games over .500!!! :)
@justin
The Ricky Davis triple double is special because he didn't so much "miss on purpose" as he did "shot on his opponents goal to collect the rebound." :)
Ibaka collected a multiple assist game! Wooo hoo!
@Sammy
It was definitely good to see offense come from other places.. defensively, though..
Also I think if David West was in at the end maybe the story would have had a different ending.
Funny to think Durant needs a pick me up in a game when he scores 30, but this was the sloppiest I've seen him in a while. Maybe it was fatigue and the few days off will do him good. Green, Krstic, Ibaka, and especially Westbrook stepped up huge tonight. In a way, this is one of the most encouraging games I've seen all season.
Holy crap... RW, you are the man... :)
@justin
First Hawks game...
Should never have been that close. But I'm glad for the win.
4 game streak baby!
Seven games over .500!
gooood game....
Yes KD's production slips noticeably in the fourth quarter.. it's nice to have him around though for the free throw shooting to ice games. Has he ever not come through on those?
I guess KD can get the extra foul shots for the scoring title tonight. :D
@justin
Ricky did it, it's in youtube lol
I gotta say, KD is probably a top 5 player in all of the NBA from quarters 1 thru 3, but just the 3rd best player on his own team team when it comes to 4th quarters
whew, RW to the rescue again.
can't play it much better than he did today, 11/18, 10 assists, 8 rebounds...
the turnovers weren't that great, but I'm fine as long as we end up winning.
@Osano-Whoa
Bob Sura once missed on purpose at the end of the game getting his own rebound to get a triple double.. I think Ricky Davis did it once too.
If only he could get 2 rebounds in the next 13 seconds.
Did David West get hurt? Did I miss something?
Oh god Westbrook. You have made the clutchest rebound and score.
I'm sorry I ever doubted you Westbrook. You are my savior.
Thank You Westbrook
LOL Russell Westbrook. Amazing.
WOOOO Westbrook with the clutch offensive rebound again!
@The DON
I watch plenty of games.. numbers are a supplement..
God damn you Songaila
@justin
Thats the thing about you, you are obsessed with stats and all your arguments are based on them. You need to watch the actual games and stop evaluating basketball on paper so much
Darren Collison reminds me a lot of rookie Westbrook.
@Kev
I agree the transition defense was poor but the situation was created by Okafor's block..
These guys just look tired.
YES KD!!!!!!!!!
@The DON
I disagree with you.. I've provided the stats in the past, not going to bother researching now.
hey Justin, that basket was on RW - he made NO move to go get Collison - it was just a dumb defensive play in transition - he's good for two or three of those per game . . .
KD, do something
OMG! I'm almost speechless at the lack of defensive effort late in this qtr!
@justin
no one's bagging on Okafor's abilities, it's just that he's not worthy of that absurd contract.