Thunder 88, Wizards 83
Observations, news and notes from Wednesday night’s game……..
* The Thunder is showing some of its best effort of the season without its best two players. It’s not a new concept. Teams generally play more inspired ball when they’re shorthanded.
* OKC is starting to show it’s capable of closing out in the fourth quarter and weathering the storm when teams make runs. The Mavs went on a 16-2 run in the fourth on Monday and the Thunder held on to win. Tonight, the Wizards started the fourth on a 14-4 run and the Thunder closed on a 16-7 run.
* Earl Watson played pretty good, setting up guys and attacking on pick-and-roll plays. Still not quite sure why he’s insistent on jumping in the air to make a pass, though.
* Kyle Weaver is starting to prove he can hit a big shot when called upon. After the Wizards put the finishing touches on their 14-4 run to start the fourth and took a four-point lead with 7:05 remaining, Weaver came out of a timeout and nailed a 3-pointer to cut the deficit to one.
* Thabo Sefolosha is looking better and better each game — 15 points, eight rebounds, four assists, three blocks.
* After being outscored 16-0 in fastbreak points by the Mavs, the Thunder outscored the Wizards 7-0 in fastbreak points Wednesday.
* Russell Westbrook is doing a much better job of setting up his teammates. He finished with eight assists tonight and could have had 16 if his teammates made more shots.
* Nick Collison is the unsung hero tonight — 12 points, 10 rebounds, 5-for-5 from the field. What more can you ask for?
* Damien Wilkins came to play and made the most of a rare opportunity. His seven rebounds came as a shock.
* The Thunder proved once again that playing at a slower pace that focuses more on quality shots and good defensive possessions is the way for the team to win. When OKC speed the tempo and get into a shootout, it’s almost guaranteed the Thunder is taking an L. Brooks said as much in his post-game press conference.
* Robert Swift had a big impact with his defense, rebounding and as a screener in limited minutes.
* Could Nenad Krstic be what Oklahoma City saw in David West? The guy doesn’t seem to miss from 17.
* With Kevin Durant and Jeff Green out, I say give Chucky Atkins some minutes. There are several points throughout the game that The Thunder needs someone to make a shot and can look only to Westbrook, Watson, Weaver and Sefolosha as guys who can create off the dribble. Problem there is none of those guys are a consistent shooting threat.
* Speaking of Durant, he is no longer wearing his protective boot on his right foot. At least not permanently. He sat on the bench without it tonight, shot 3-pointers before the game and was seen doing light jogging on the treadmill at this morning’s shootaround. Maybe he really will return faster than expected. I still have my doubts.
* Jeff Green missed his second straight game with a sore back and is still listed as day-to-day. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him sit Saturday at New Orleans as well. Not because he can’t go but because the team doesn’t want to rush him back. Green has established himself as one of the toughest guys on the team so even if he doesn’t play Saturday it seems the team will have to lock him in the locker room to keep him out Sunday.
* Shout out to Brent Weber, the Thunder’s sideline reporter, for toughing it out and carrying out his job tonight. Right arm wrapped in a sling and all from a broken wrist stemming from Tuesday’s media practice. Get well soon, Brent.
-DM-
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Comments
In other words, when you play clamp-down, suffocating defense on one end, that causes steals, block shots, or else a lower-percentage shot and a defensive rebound, that causes a fast-break (but smart-break) which winds up with a lay-up or other easy basket on the other end is exciting, winning basketball.
As for saying that a slower pace is good for the Thunder, I have to refute that. A faster pace causes the team to get an easier shot. But it has to be a smarter pace–”run-and-gun” with no intelligent-decision-making causes a team to turn the ball over and make stupid passes and take stupid shots. The Thunder is young and athletic; perfect for a faster pace. However, they have to practice stepping up the tempo for it to work in a game. And the higher score of your opponent doesn’t mean you don’t play defense (more trips per game with better defense could equal your opponent’s higher score). And the pace that is fast causes the crowd to be more intense. Look at the “Showtime” Lakers and “Billy Ball” Sooners in the ’80s for an example.