Thunder pick up an 'emotional' win over the Hawks, 123-115

It’s been a little while since I’ve left The Peake with a headache.

I think most of us left the Thunder for dead tonight, probably somewhere around the middle of the third quarter. The Hawks were carving — CARVING — the Thunder up, getting anything they wanted, when they wanted it. OKC was hanging in the game because of the ridiculous offense they’ve played lately, but it wasn’t hard to see how this was going to eventually go. It seemed more likely that Dion Waiters would make a layup than the Thunder would get a stop.

Wait, that’s what happened.

Scott Brooks was searching all night to a solution to the Hawks’ pace and space lineups, trying to counter it with the right combination of size and athleticism. He finally tapped on Perry Jones’ shoulder late in the third, which at least helped the Thunder match up to a degree. And settling into that smallball group, four guards and Steven Adams to anchor, the Thunder started stringing together some stops.

“We’ve had tough moments this year,” Brooks said. “But that’s never stopped us from competing, that’s never stopped us from trying to improve, and I thought we made a step tonight in ways that we can play maybe a little different on defense and get the job done.”

And the other side of it: Dion Waiters made a bunch of layups. He finished 11-18 shooting with 26 points, resisting step-back jumpers and instead attacking the paint and, gasp, finishing.

“With Dion, he’s a good player,” Brooks said. “I just told him we’re just going to have to keep working with you. We had a good film session, him and I, yesterday. Not that I’m saying it paid off, but he understands what we need. I thought he did a great job of competing on both ends. He hasn’t made his layups and he’s been working on them. It’s not if you make them or miss them, it’s if you continue to prepare to make them. And he’s done that all year, and it paid off tonight.”

Waiters said postgame he just needed to slow down a little, and quit trying to draw contact. Whether this is a eureka moment and the start of something new is yet to be seen — I’m skeptical — but either way, he was exactly the supplement to Russell Westbrook the Thunder needed tonight.

Obviously this was a trying day. News of Kevin Durant’s foot issues has left the team crippled, facing the harsh reality that this just isn’t their season. They aren’t going anywhere without No. 35, but they still have games to play. And if you give Westbrook a chance, he’s going to take it.

He was near flawless in the fourth quarter, scoring 15 of his 36 in the final frame, dishing out 14 assists with 10 rebounds for his ninth triple-double. He was ridiculous once again, putting up the kind of Herculean effort it’s going to take for the Thunder to get by.

Waiters was the bridge, but Anthony Morrow was the punch. Morrow scored 18 of his 21 in the second half, hitting 6-10 from deep and setting Oklahoma City ablaze in the fourth quarter with a flurry of 3s.

“He is the guy,” Westbrook said.

Everyone in the building could sense the emotion around this game. The season was basically declared deceased earlier in the day, and it was either stand up or give up. The Thunder aren’t the kind of just throw in a towel, and even with the Hawks embarrassing them, they just kept hanging, waiting for that run.

And when it finally came, with them closing to within five to start the fourth and eventually taking a 108-105 lead on a Morrow 3 with 5:52 left, something special started happening. I gotta admit, that was kind of inspiring to watch.

The Thunder aren’t winning a title without Kevin Durant. We all know this. But they’ve still got games to play, and they get to take their shot guilt free. They can play without conscious, leaving it all out there night by night. Because like Brooks said, that’s what it’s going to take.

“An emotional win tonight, and it was, great crowd, great win, great energy, guys diving on the floor, guys helping each other, guys communicating, guys defending, blocking shots and making shots, making extra passes,” Brooks said, “but we’ve got to do it again.

“This game is going to be over as we walk out of Chesapeake tonight,” he said. “We have to figure out how to beat the Miami Heat on Sunday.”

NOTES:

Nick Collison played an incredible game. He had 13 points and five rebounds in 24 minutes, and was swatting shots all over. He rolled his left ankle late in the third and immediately checked out. He was on crutches postgame, and when asked about it, said, “I don’t feel good. But we’ll see what it is tomorrow.”

Of the players on the roster in training camp, Collison was the last standing survivor that hadn’t missed a game due to injury this season.

So, Waiters was awesome. On both ends. If that’s what it’s going to take for the Thunder to survive the next month, run for your lives, but at least for a night, Waiters showed what he can do.

The key is for Waiters to stay disciplined to attack. He finished in the restricted area eight times tonight, and hit two 3s. It was a near perfect game from him. Which terrifies me.

Waiters: “That’s my game, just attacking. That’s what got me here. The jumpshot is a plus for me. My thing is I just want to keep the pressure on the defense the entire night. Late in the game, they started going under screens and I was able to hit shots. If I’m attacking, attacking, I think the game comes easier for me.”

More Waiters: “I’ve been getting there (the rim), but when I was getting there, I was rushing. Now, when I get there I slow down a little bit. At first, I was just looking for the contact, trying to get fouled, I wasn’t concentrating on finishing. I sat down with Scotty, watched film, and saw a couple mistakes I could make up for.”

Brooks can deny there was desperation, but in an unusual move, Westbrook started the fourth quarter, which is a time he typically rests. He played a game-high 44 minutes.

One of the most impressive things about tonight’s game: This one got heated at times, specifically with the officiating, and Westbrook never lost his head. Not once. Never lashed out, never snapped at one. This game had 15th technical written all over it, but he resisted, even after whatever that call was on DeMarre Carroll.

Collison is the ultimate professional: He was wearing a boot on his left foot, and clearly in pain postgame, but stood there and answered questions like a champ.

Idea: Why not play Andre Roberson as your “stretch” 4? He played power forward in college and while bigger players might take advantage of him, if you’re hunting for options, something to maybe try.

Since joining the Thunder, Dion Waiters has had 53 baskets in the restricted area. He made eight tonight.

The emotional return of Thabo Sefolosha. Everybody do a pump fake in your living room.

Mike Budenholzer as Lt. Dan. I can’t be the only one.

First three things you see in the Thunder’s intro video: Durant, Westbrook and Ibaka. Awkward.

Steven Adams was simply massive: 12 points and 16 rebounds in 35 minutes. That’s now three double-doubles in his last four games.

Westbrook turned it over six times, but I didn’t really notice them that much. There are different levels to his turnovers, and in this case, they weren’t egregious.

Mitch McGary started for Enes Kanter, and had issues handling the Hawks’ offense. He did have some nice finishes, but defense is a problem for the young man.

How ridiculous has the Thunder offense been lately? Man. It’s something else right now. Defense, sheesh. But offensively, they’re incredible.

The Warriors beat the Pelicans. Thunder are now two up. Not a bad night.

Next up: Home against the Heat on Sunday