Thunder stumble as the Kings close out Arco, 114-112
There are times, when it just feels inevitable. The setup was there even before tipoff, with the last game ever happening at Arco (or Sleep Train, whatever) Arena, which resulted in a throwback environment. It was a supercharged atmosphere, and while the Thunder didn’t seem phased by it early on, eventually they sort of just wilted as the game carried on.
It was the turnovers. It was the undisciplined, lazy defense. It was the sloppy, erratic offense.
Now, with a flurry of shotmaking and a fortuitous call, the Thunder made up an eight-point deficit with 24 seconds left, tying it up with seven seconds after Russell Westbrook made three free throws. But a Rudy Gay drive resulted in a Thunder foul, he made both free throws with a second left, and the Kings closed down Arco with a win. Maybe it’s kind of fitting that they got a call to say goodbye to that arena. Not quite enough to make up for 2002, but it’s something.
At this time of the year, with the playoffs just two games away, these type of games are kind of hard to play, and feel pretty unimportant. Now, according to Twitter, this game was VERY important, and it is the EXAMPLE of why this team is going NOWHERE in the playoffs. But in reality, it’s more about the way you played and less about the result. Let’s say Gay doesn’t get that call and the Thunder win in overtime. That’s a win to count to the tally, but it doesn’t change the fact they fell apart in the fourth and only got there by some heroics.
The offensive execution was especially poor in the fourth quarter, and even if the Thunder had pulled it out, I don’t think there was much to build on from this one. It looks to me that this team has checked out on the regular season and is trying to coast in to the playoffs. Whether or not that’s going to bite them, we’ll have to wait and see, but from here it’s Kobe’s final road game on Monday and a Thunder B-Team game to finish up in San Antonio. After that, they start mattering again.
NOTES:
- Westbrook gambled again with about two minutes left, leaving his man to go for a strip on Rudy Gay. Darren Collison hit a go-ahead 3. That’s a problem.
- Twenty-one Thunder turnovers. And so many were just bad.
- I’m actually kind of sad the officials gave Westbrook that call, because it just means he’s going to keep trying that in the future.
- It was nice to see Arco rocking. Some of my favorite NBA memories were those early 2000s playoff series with the Kings. I remember actually thinking about how loud that arena sounded through the TV.
- Seth Curry went off in the first half, hitting five 3s. Did you know he’s Steph Curry’s brother? Apparently he is. He ended up 5-7 from 3, and really, was a big part in shooting the Kings back in the game.
- Great sequence to illustrate how aggravating the Thunder can be: Under four minutes left, OKC gets a stop, Adams outlets to Durant in a little bit of traffic, Durant loses it, the Thunder stand around and don’t close out at all on Darren Collison, and Collison makes a go-ahead 3.
- Durant probably needs to stop turning down those reasonably open looks to make an extra pass to someone slightly more open than him, but significantly less good.
- It’s a little weird to say that with him shooting 29 times, but it felt like Durant turned down a number of solid looks tonight.
- Curry went with that Mike Bibby look tonight, with the extra thick headband.
- Kyle Singler did a couple positive things. Like make a 3, his first since March 3. In fact, he made TWO 3s. And scored eight points to only three facepalms. Solid ratio for him.
- One thing that kind of bugs me: When’s the last time Durant had one of those games with some vintage clutch daggering? It doesn’t feel like it’s happened much, especially lately. Maybe that’s a good sign that the Thunder have won some close games without having to completely rely on him to make tough shots, but it just doesn’t seem to happen near as much anymore.
- Here’s the thing with this “blown fourth quarter lead” thing: OKC led 84-83 tonight heading to the fourth. So if that’s a “blown lead” then if they were down 84-83, would you file that under a “comeback win”? Didn’t think so.
- Singler has enough problems on his own, but man, how was this a foul on him?
- Watching DeMarcus Cousins can be a painful experience.
- Westbrook had eight turnovers tonight. He’s got to get that under control in the next week.
- Guess what: Collison’s 27 points were a season-high.
Next up: Home against the Lakers on Monday
