Monday Bolts – 1.11.16
Anthony Slater: “After a lackluster first half, OKC burst out for 39 third quarter points and looked
destined to pull out a second straight road win. They were up five at the end of three quarters and eight with 3:06 left, a time and score that made a Blazer rally mathematically unlikely. But thanks to Lillard’s heroics, they rallied. It felt a bit similar to the Lakers game two nights earlier, but with a different end result. Lou Williams got crazy hot early in the fourth quarter and sparked an L.A. rally with a career-high 44 points against a Thunder perimeter defense that seems to give up an unhealthy amount of career nights. Lillard’s success was a bit more understanding, given his history and talent. But the steady perimeter breakdowns remain concerning.”
Blazersedge: “The fourth quarter magic will do well to detract much of the attention from the disastrous third period, in which Portland was outscored by the Thunder 39-28 and Oklahoma City had its way. Although Lillard had been fairly effective when tasked with one-on-one defense during the first half, with his jumper not falling Westbrook made up for it by eating up contact and forcing his way to the free throw line. The Moda Center crowd may have felt some of the contact was exaggerated – and they may have a point, after he hit the deck on back-to-back possessions – but good scorers find ways to get involved when their shots aren’t going and he did just that.”
Chad Ford on Buddy Hield: “But there are concerns. His age, lack of size for his position and tendency to get careless with the ball all worry scouts. Everyone loves his heart, scoring ability and confidence, but how much of his success will really translate in the pros? Scouts are having huge debates about that right now.”
If you missed it on Friday, I wrote a thing.
Kobe recalling his first impression of Russ: “He was everywhere,” Bryant said. “A relentless competitor. I had never even heard of him. So it was shocking to me sometimes to kind of look at scouts and see what the hell they’re looking at. This guy was this way when he’s 16 years old.”
Kobe on the Thunder: “You get in these close situations, close end-game situations, and Oklahoma is just as dangerous as either one of those clubs,” Kobe said. “With Russell and KD, those guys get to the basket and put a lot of pressure on your defense. A lot of pressure. So I wouldn’t discount them one bit.”
Kurt Helin of PBT: “Damian Lillard goes off in fourth, Portland beats Oklahoma City. Damian Lillard had a good game up to that point, 14 points on 4-of-12 shooting, nine assists, seven rebounds, but the Thunder were up by eight and seemingly in control of the game. Then Lillard went off. He scored 17 points in the final 3:06, including five 3-pointers (all six of his shots were threes). Meanwhile, Kevin Durant didn’t get off a shot, and Russell Westbrook only had one (KD finished with 28 points, Westbrook 25).”
