vs. 
Los Angeles Lakers (20-13, 6-11 road) vs. OKC Thunder (26-7, 14-1 home)
TV: TNT (Cox 31, HD 730)
Stream: Click here
Radio: WWLS The Sports Animal (98.1 FM, 640 AM, 97.1 FM Tulsa)
Time: 8:30 CT
Offensive Rating: Thunder – 108.9 (2nd), Lakers– 103.3 (15th)
Defensive Rating: Thunder – 102.4 (14th), Lakers – 100.7 (11th)
Pace: Thunder – 93.8 (3rd), Lakers – 88.9 (22nd)
View from the enemy: Forum Blue and Gold
The goal before this five-game homestand started was at least 4-1. Well, now that that’s already in the bag, it kind of feels like it needs to be 5-0. One, because otherwise that would mean a loss, and losing is never fun. And two, because it’s the Lakers and losing two the Lakers is never fun.
As for Nick Collison, he’s a gametime decision for tonight. The Thunder certainly could use him as the L.A. frontcourt is a big one.
The Lakers coming in: They played last night too, winning a tough game in Dallas.
Three Big Things
1. The bigs. The Thunder went and got Kendrick Perkins just for nights like this. In the one meeting last season post-trade, Perk and Ibaka did a great job on the inside against Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol. Perk has prided himself on being a Bynum stopper, so you know he’s pumped. I’m curious about Scott Brooks going small some though. I think KD can defend Gasol in the post decently and it would create a major mismatch on the other end.
2. Kobe. There’s no Thabo to defend him, but I think Daequan Cook and James Harden will be up to the task. Harden has shown in the past he can defend Kobe well and Cook isn’t a bad defender. I assume Kobe will defend Westbrook as he has the past few meetings. That means Fisher will be hidden on Cook, but unlike Thabo, Cook’s actually a decent offensive weapon. Could play into OKC’s favor.
3. Run. Every time the Thunder have played the Lakers, starting back in the playoff series, OKC has held a major advantage in the transition game. Bynum and Gasol don’t get up and down the floor well, I think Derek Fisher needs a Rascal scooter to do it and with KD, Westbrook and Harden, the Thunder can outrun almost anyone. Against the Celtics, the Thunder showed off that transition game. The Lakers have problems scoring so they’re looking to win a defensive game. Any easy baskets OKC gets on the run will be big.
Tip at 8:30 CT. Go Beat LA.
HAHAHAHAHAH at the spurs beating us
@Lost Ones only if parker averages 40 a game
@RodneyRosavelRusanWilson @Lost Ones Like Dirk did to us in WCF!
Bynum to miss All-Star practice Sat for a previously scheduled appt. with knee specialist. He'll have injection that lubricates right knee.
Chuck on Shaq's stuff?
JH: Aka Kobe stopper..
@neo12 TS: Another Kobe stopper on the mend...
@ThunderWins @neo12 DC was great too. Denying the ball, staying down on the pump fakes.
@Lost Ones @neo12 @Remify While he hasn't been hot the last two games, he's leading scorer in the league.
Still can get hot at anytime.
@ThunderWins @neo12 @Remify lets not act like kobe is the same player... Im just saying lol
@neo12 @Remify It SOO fun to see the progression of how the Thunder have improved in guarding Kobe from several years ago until now.
@Remify @ThunderWins I think they all took lessons from Thabo. Lockdown on kobe tonight
Excuse me if others have already posted this but Durant is replacing Joe Johnson for the three point competition for all star weekend.
@DPC Durants a streaky shooter it can either be GOOD or TErrible
@Lost Ones @DPC .... Durant a streaky shooter.....???
@thunderstruck87 @Lost Ones The six participants: Durant, Love, Ryan Anderson, Anthony Morrow, James Jones, Mario Chalmers.
@thunderstruck87 @Lost Ones I was thinking Durant would have the edge when the competition goes to a second round. My reasoning was that taller players do not use as much energy per shot compared to shorter players so Durant would not be that fatigued. Then I checked the competition roster and read Kevin Love and Ryan Anderson are shooting as well. So the edge I thought he had is gone with two other really tall players.
@Lost Ones @thunderstruck87 @DPC Yes either he will hit 20 in a row or miss nearly all of them.
@thunderstruck87 @DPC From 3 ? did i stutter?
@Lost Ones @DPC Turrible.
Here was that convo at the end of the game: Harden: You're beard ain't nothing Kobe: I don't have a beard Harden: RAPIST!
Wasn't Chuck that said we couldn't beat the Lakers?
@ThunderWins kenny was a little hesitant though he just agreed
@ThunderWins all of them said it, ALL of them said we couldnt beat them in 7 foh!lol
@ThunderWins I remember last he him saying that they would "beat them up inside." Or something to that effect.
@JakeArent @ThunderWins "Interior defense is turrible. Gasol/Bynum will show up Ibaka. Can't get easy buckets inside, they need another big man. Listen Ernie, they live and die by the jumper, it will not get it done in the playoffs.
Didn't the Mavericks win the title by being mostly a jump shooting team last year?
@JakeArent That's what i was saying. They didn't have inside scoring either. Chandler was it.
Not On My Watch
LeBron got the best of Jeremy Lin and New York on Thursday, as Miami won its eighth straight game
still the headline on espn.
@Remify So? We need to get over it. That was a big game. The Heatles vs Linsanity. I was pumped for that one too.
that game was what 3 hours ago?
yesssssss....
http://twitpic.com/8nwnbp
@SammyThunderer Durant's beard would weigh as much as his whole body.
@SammyThunderer lol. can u imagine.
Has anyone told ESPN that the Thunder beat the Lakers..... BAD?
I actually think Chuck is a great analyst, but his OKC analysis is ridiculous. He hates OKC for being a jump shooting team, but LOVED the Mavs last year?!? What are they?!?
@Grolgar Yeah, the disconnect for me is that we 'need' a big man for easy buckets....but consistently getting to the line doesn't get us easy buckets?
Hey chuck who should they trade for? "well ERNIE IDK , but they need a scorer" what a dumb ass
@Lost Ones He doesn't understand that it's pretty tough to make a trade with our low number of assets and salaries being low. I don't expect him to get that though.
@Remify yea we have absolutely no assets, maybe if we had maynor we would be able to pull a backup or something.
@Lost Ones no way. maynor is awesome. i just hope he takes less salary to stay. he seems like he has great friendship with everyone, so maybe.
@Lost Ones He's a joke. I only like him because they actually make pretty funny jokes.
@Remify @Lost Ones Chuck if there was someone obvious to get we would already have them!
I liked the part where Harden cut the head off the snake.
WE BEAT THE LAKERS TONIGHT YES SIR
Charles still thinks we need another big guy (surprise surprise)
Lol that was funny.
The naked belly was on "That was just ugly"
Wonder if the ESPN home page would look any different if the Lakers had won?
@nomad Doubt it. They've got nothing on Miami and NY right now