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Thunder at Rockets: Pregame Primer

by Royce Young on February 20, 2013 at 4:42 pm 2,139 Comments

okc-thunder vs. h rockets

Thunder (39-14, 16-10 road) at Rockets (29-26, 18-8 home)

TV: FSOK (Cox 37, HD 722, Tulsa Cox 27, DirectTV 679, UVerse 754)
Stream: Click here
Radio: WWLS The Sports Animal (98.1 FM, 640 AM, 97.1 FM Tulsa)
Time: 7:00 CT

Offensive Rating: Thunder – 112.4 (1st), Rockets– 109.7 (4th)
Defensive Rating: Thunder – 103.1 (8th), Rockets – 106.8 (20th)
Pace: Thunder – 93.4 (8th), Rockets – 96.2 (1st)

View from the enemy: Red 94

Is this the last game with the current roster? Kind of fitting that if it is, it would come against one of the Thunder’s former favorite sons, James Harden. Trade talk aside, the Thunder have a pretty important game tonight, at least in the sense of moving past the previous two losses and starting the second half off well.

The Thunder have basically owned the Rockets in the two previous matchups with wins of 22 and 30. They’ve held James Harden down, completely neutralized Jeremy Lin and just beaten down their terrible defense.

But the Rockets aren’t going to take this one easy, especially now that they’re well rested and probably a little upset with the way the first two meetings have gone. It’ll be tough.

Houston coming in: The Rockets are coming off a loss, falling to the Clippers last Wednesday.

Three Big Things

1. Defending Harden. The Thunder have done a better job of it than anyone this season. They know him, they know his game, they know his tendencies. But shutting down a great scorer three straight times is hard and I’d expect Harden to play a lot more relaxed tonight.

2. Asik and don’t let destroy. With no Perk, the Rockets could attack the Thunder a whole lot in the pick-and-roll. For whatever reason, Hasheem Thabeet is starting at center, meaning that Asik could be very dangerous.

3. Proper pace. The Rockets like to play fast, they like to get frantic. That strategy can work against a lot of teams, but the Thunder love playing fast. Westbrook and Durant in the open floor free-wheeling and improvising is when they’re most dangerous. So watching the possessions of this game could be interesting.

Tip at 7:00 CT. Go Second Half.

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okcjim
okcjim 5pts

Anyone see Tony Allen completely control Rudy Gay last night down the stretch. It was impressive.

okcjim
okcjim 5pts

It looks like Milwaukee is trying to get rid of Ellis at which point they won't have any decent 2's. If Martin is going to be traded I would think Milwaukee or Utah would be likely destinations. Both are looking to get rid of guys and both teams are really in need of SG's.

okcjim
okcjim 5pts

I thought last night was on KD. He got caught up in his triple double stats and stopped making good basketball plays. He got out of his shooting rhythm and then had a bunch of turnovers. They though we had it won. They hit a bunch of tough shots down the stretch but it shouldn't have come to that. We also swarmed Harden in the previous 2 games. That obviously didn't happen last night. We just didn't come ready to play for some reason and they were fired up.

okcjim
okcjim 5pts

"There's only a few players who can play at the athletic level that LeBron can, and [Josh Smith] is one of them," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. "He's underrated as a passer, as a facilitator. He's a heck of a talent. We've had our battles over the years."

Lambchop
Lambchop 5pts

I do not get my kicks criticizing Russ.  I wish to god there was nothing to critique.  Im not in teh class of OKC baby nor am I a troll.  Please understand I know how unreceptive you guys are to criticizing Westbrook.  It would be so very easy to drop bombs in here and watch you guys prattle and and attack me.  I get no joy from that.  I dont say outlandish things, I dont share ungrounded speculations.  Please understand the lengths I go to to not aggravate the status quo  This is the only forum I belong too, I liek it here a lot, I want to celebrate our victories and cheer on our beloved team.  If I raise questions, it is only meant to get to those pressing issues which I would believe would improve our chances at winning a championship.

OBoy
OBoy 5pts like.author.displayName 1 Like

 @Lambchop  why do you want so much credit for not being a troll? I respect your opinion even though i disagree with it completely but I don't understand why you think you should be commended for not trolling. 

Sigmund
Sigmund 5pts

http://dailythunder.com/2013/02/harden-torches-the-thunder-as-okc-collapses-122-119/

Sigmund
Sigmund 5pts

Paul Pierce is still better than Harden.

OKC035
OKC035 5pts like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 3 Like

Lambchop, I don't know if you saw my post earlier or are just ignoring it, but we were 22-5 last year when Russ shot more than KD. 22-13 when KD shot more than Russ. 3-1 when they shot the same. 

 

I don't know about this year I can tally it up tomorow, but just looking at our losses KD has shot more in 9 out of 15 of them. 

 

Can you explain this? Maybe we are better when Russ is agressive? Or maybe its just a coincidence and Westbrook is the devil.

Lost Ones
Lost Ones 5pts like.author.displayName 1 Like

Hopefully i wake up tomorrow to a BIG trade

Sustainable Parameters
Sustainable Parameters 5pts like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 2 Like

So who else has a problem with me? I'm making a list, not a violence thing, I'm going to have a watch party in OKC and make cookies (or buy them I guess) and apologize in person. I need to be liked

Sustainable Parameters
Sustainable Parameters 5pts like.author.displayName 1 Like

Don't all raise your hands at once. Again, I'm not going to be putting the hands on anybody. I am trying to make nice. Ask all the Dters who know me in real life. I'm as harmless as they come

ThunderChick2010
ThunderChick2010 5pts

 @If that's what you say, bruh

They say it's the quiet ones you gotta watch.  :)

This comment has been deleted

Sustainable Parameters
Sustainable Parameters 5pts

 @MJOKC  @If that's what you say, bruh well watch out for 1. He's been in 10,000 streetfights.

Sustainable Parameters
Sustainable Parameters 5pts

 @MJOKC  @If that's what you say, bruh off of message board beef? I might some dudes from another board in real life in Queens, NY to hoop. Everyone was nice in person then I got home (back to OK) and get online and see all these same dudes I was just in the same room as all of a sudden talking greasy. I'm not violent in the least but I had to call bitchmade. They suck at ball in NYC too, all them soft ass foul calls.

Ozarkhick
Ozarkhick 5pts

 @If that's what you say, bruh I don't know yet.  Are you good at Denver nuggets trivia?

 

they are my favorite team.

 

I love fruit cups.

Sustainable Parameters
Sustainable Parameters 5pts like.author.displayName 1 Like

 @Ozarkhick  @If that's what you say, bruh I don't think they sell fruit cups at Buffalo Wild Wings or Hooters (haven't decided yet). I have a food dehydrator and can make you some though. What kind?

Sustainable Parameters
Sustainable Parameters 5pts

 @ThunderChick2010  @If that's what you say, bruh  @Ozarkhick No jerky for you then bro. You can have 1 of my wings though

ThunderChick2010
ThunderChick2010 5pts

 @If that's what you say, bruh  @Ozarkhick  @If that's what you say, bruh

 Last I knew, Ozarkhick was a guy.

Sustainable Parameters
Sustainable Parameters 5pts like.author.displayName 1 Like

 @Ozarkhick  @If that's what you say, bruh are you a male or female? Because I'm not going through all this trouble without the possibility of smashing. Bro hugs are not the same. At the least, tell me you have a sister

Ozarkhick
Ozarkhick 5pts like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 2 Like

 @If that's what you say, bruh  @If that's what you say, bruh Who is the all time leader in blocked shots among Denver Nuggets?

 

Also, I like my fruit cups from the big cans in the "institutional" section of the grocery store, that have one maraschino cherry per can.

BallSoHard
BallSoHard 5pts

Chicken Little out

Ozarkhick
Ozarkhick 5pts like.author.displayName 1 Like

Who else wants to play "Nugget's Nuggets"

 

ps - I am a Nuggets fan now.

f5alcon
f5alcon 5pts

 @Ozarkhick how about kicki nuggets fans in the nuggets

Ozarkhick
Ozarkhick 5pts

 @f5alcon What two nicknames did the Nuggets have before settling on "nuggets" - no googling, or I'll know you aren't a true fan.

 

10 second limit.

Ozarkhick
Ozarkhick 5pts like.author.displayName 1 Like

 @f5alcon Sorry, it was "larks" and "rockets".

 

God, I kick ass at "nugget's nuggets".

OkcBaby
OkcBaby 5pts

Oh young grasshoppers

S4TISF4CTION
S4TISF4CTION 5pts

 @OkcBaby Maynor's hours are numbered. 

king of carrot flowers
king of carrot flowers 5pts

 @S4TISF4CTION  @OkcBaby as is okcbaby's time on dt

Bryson
Bryson 5pts like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 8 Like

For those interested, my team won our regional game tonight...we will play in the championship on Friday. 

BallSoHard
BallSoHard 5pts

we must, we must, we must increase our bust

Sustainable Parameters
Sustainable Parameters 5pts

 @BallSoHard titties? I ain't never mad at that

Lambchop
Lambchop 5pts

Im going to ask an honest question:  What player is out there that we could get that Russ would genuinely look for?  I really believe there are very few offensive players who would not lose value by coming here.  Im not even gonna use "Look" at what Hardens doing elsewhere.  Thats would just be unfair.

Lost Ones
Lost Ones 5pts

 @Lambchop  Any pick and roll player that can catch the ball, a vet, a post player Kevin durant? etc 

Lambchop
Lambchop 5pts

 @Lost Ones right

OKC035
OKC035 5pts like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 8 Like

 @Lambchop  Are you kidding? How many times did Russ find KMart tonight?? At least 6. Your anti-russ agenda is unbelievable. Either Russ Murdered someone in your family, or you are Skip Bayless.

Lambchop
Lambchop 5pts

 @OKC035 Tonight?  great argument.

beelieve035
beelieve035 5pts

 @Lambchop   @durantulaneus  @Lost Ones I think a lot of people are honest about Russ' negatives, it's just that you bring up his assist number even when he gets them in near double digits.  

 

We understand he turns the ball over too much (which he's lowered since last year), we GET that his assists need to rise (which they have since last year) and we UNDERSTAND that he can be a little too reckless, but we also understand that he has done a better job at his "job" this year.  Everyone wants a pass first PG, but every team is different and the Thunder NEED Russ to score.

 

No one is sitting here claiming to like the games where he goes 6-22, but to diminish his achievements when he actually HAS a good game doesn't help whatever it is you're trying to accomplish.

king of carrot flowers
king of carrot flowers 5pts

 @Lambchop   @Lost Ones most people just don't agree with u. its not suprising its an okc thunder forum

Sustainable Parameters
Sustainable Parameters 5pts like.author.displayName 1 Like

 @OBoy  @durantulaneus  @Lambchop   @Lost Ones lol at shots fired. What was did there, I saw

Lambchop
Lambchop 5pts

 @durantulaneus  @Lost Ones If you guys would be more honest, the less Id have to

OBoy
OBoy 5pts like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 3 Like

 @durantulaneus  @Lambchop   @Lost Ones shots fired

king of carrot flowers
king of carrot flowers 5pts

 @Lambchop   @Lost Ones i can respect that but its just getting a bit redundant. not near as bad as mjokc tho

Lambchop
Lambchop 5pts

 @durantulaneus  @Lost Ones That was a single point I made tonight.  And I believe his style is our early exit

Lambchop
Lambchop 5pts

 @Lost Ones  @durantulaneus You guys dont understand how cordial Ive been.  I have not expressed myself the way I want to because it may come across as mean spirited.  I try to keep my criticisms honest and analysis based.  I do not call him names - as Royce even has.  I argue, I debae, I raise questions that are received warmly outside of thsi forum, which has a protectionist vein that is singular to this sight and no one outside of here seems to agree with you.

king of carrot flowers
king of carrot flowers 5pts like.author.displayName 1 Like

 @Lambchop   @Lost Ones ok but most of ur complaining is about how we can't win a championship with russ

Lost Ones
Lost Ones 5pts like.author.displayName 1 Like

 @Lambchop   @durantulaneus then why 90% of your post today about westbrook?

Lambchop
Lambchop 5pts

 @Lost Ones  @durantulaneus If you had read all my posts tonight, you would have noticed taht I said put this loss on KD.

O O O O O O
O O O O O O 5pts

 @Lambchop   it was better that way 

king of carrot flowers
king of carrot flowers 5pts

 @Lambchop  its just something i've noticed whenever u are on here. 80% of ur comments are anti russ

Lost Ones
Lost Ones 5pts

 @Lambchop   @durantulaneus you've complained about russ passing every game 2. he wasn't event teh problem tonight tell martin to actually make shots.

OKC035
OKC035 5pts

 @Lambchop  We were 22-5 last year when Russ shot more than KD. 22-13 when KD shot more than Russ. 3-1 when they shot the same. How do you explain that?

 

Maybe you would rather us lose and KD shoot more than Russ?

Lambchop
Lambchop 5pts

 @durantulaneus  Thats untrue, because Ive only been on the in game thread 2-3 times in teh past 2 weeks   

RumbleTime
RumbleTime 5pts

 @Lambchop   @OKC035 Russ has had more assists this year than any other year in his career but Russ is the problem? 

Lambchop
Lambchop 5pts

 @OKC035 Are you using an anomaly as your wager?  ha

king of carrot flowers
king of carrot flowers 5pts

 @Lambchop   @OKC035 naw bro u criticize him at least every other game.

OKC035
OKC035 5pts like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 3 Like

 @Lambchop  Oh so tonight doesn't count because it doesn't support your argument?

beelieve035
beelieve035 5pts

 @Lambchop   @OKC035 Uhhh, there have been plenty of games where Russ has found KMart for shots. He (like a lot of players, naturally) either passes out of the shot attempt or misses.

Lambchop
Lambchop 5pts

 @OKC035 And Ive kept my criticism to a minumum.  I have yet once posted any of the trade machine scenarios (dozens that tehy are) on this board.  I do not troll, I do not say things to try and merely provoke.  I ask questions, as you see above.  

 

ve yet to hear one person show any concern with Russ propensity to shoot more than KD despite shooting SIGNIFICANTLY worse shooting %'s.  This is why I cant take your guys defense of him seriously.

OBoy
OBoy 5pts like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 3 Like

 @Lambchop  Thabo

 

oh wait. 

GoodKid
GoodKid 5pts like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 2 Like

 @Lambchop Ke$ha.

 

Sustainable Parameters
Sustainable Parameters 5pts like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 2 Like

 @GoodKid  @Lambchop Kesha's backside is as flat as this ugly ass color blue stripe on the page. Pass! --->

ElMexiThunder
ElMexiThunder 5pts like.author.displayName 1 Like

 @GoodKid  @Lambchop

BACK OFF SHES MINE!!  

GoodKid
GoodKid 5pts

 @ElMexiThunder  @Lambchop you escalated kind of quickly there.

 

ElMexiThunder
ElMexiThunder 5pts like.author.displayName 1 Like

 @Lambchop

 

Ray Allen, Paul Piece. Guys who can shoot the 3 while having big balls to do so.  

Aren't
Aren't 5pts

 @Lambchop  Green Beans.

f5alcon
f5alcon 5pts like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 7 Like

 @Lambchop  kevin love

BallSoHard
BallSoHard 5pts

 @Lambchop  Ben. Affleck.

Sustainable Parameters
Sustainable Parameters 5pts

 @Lambchop Dorrell Wright

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