Thunder 106, Cavs 77
Nuggets from my notebook from Sunday’s win over Cleveland.
- Before the game, Thunder coach Scott Brooks said the biggest key would be energy. It looked like the Thunder didn’t get that message as Cleveland got off to a 6-2 lead. But then the Thunder went on a 13-2 run to take a 15-8 advantage before turning this one into a blowout.
- Russell Westbrook sparked the entire team tonight. His hustle was huge. His passing was pinpoint. Westbrook had five points, five assists, one steal and one rebound in the first quarter as the Thunder outscored the Cavs 31-17.
- Here’s a story of karma. Two seasons ago, when the Thunder played at Cleveland around Thanksgiving, the Cavs absolutely destroyed the Thunder. The game was never close. The Thunder trailed by as many as 42 and lost by 35. During a timeout, the Cavs’ in-game entertainment arranged for four or five fans to come onto the court and say what they were thankful for. In what had to be staged, a young boy, probably no older than 9 or 10, took his turn and said, “I’m thankful I don’t have to watch the Oklahoma City Thunder every night.” The crowd erupted and even the Cavs’ bench was in stitches. I’ll never forget the arrogance the Cavs franchise had then. Even Cavs media members had a jolly old time cracking on the Thunder. Don’t worry, Cleveland, we’ve got just the thing for Cavs fans.
- With 40 seconds left in the first period, the Cavs had hit just five of 20 shots and turned the ball over five times.
- I can’t remember a Thunder game in the past two years that had more highlights. This was the exact opposite of that game in Cleveland two years ago.
- James Harden wins the highlight of the night.
- I thought Durant’s defense in the first half, which really was all that mattered, was exceptional. He forced Jawad Williams (I know, it’s Jawad Williams) into two terrible shots. Durant blocked one.
- The Thunder’s defense led to 29 fast break points. I’m not positive, but I’m almost certain that is a season-high.
- Thunder coach Scott Brooks joked after this one that the only thing his team didn’t do well was shoot free throws. Yup, 17-for-24 has become a bad night at the stripe for the Thunder.
- Defensive rebounding continues to be a bit of an issue. Cavs center Anderson Varejao had a game-high 16 boards, nine of them on the offensive end. Cleveland had 16 offensive rebounds for the game. Credit some of that to the Thunder’s D. The Cavs made just 26 of 77 shots, their 33.8 percent shooting setting a new opponent low for the Thunder.
- Twenty-five assists against 12 turnovers for the Thunder. Eleven assists against 17 turnovers for the Cavs. OKC scored 28 points off the Cavs’ giveaways.
- No starter played the fourth quarter in this one. That’s big. Durant is averaging 40 minutes, and I’m wondering if Westbrook can continue his all-out hustle while maintaining his durability for 82 games. Games like this one are important to get guys rest.
- Every player who played tonight got on the scoreboard. That would be all 12 active players…for both teams. I wonder how often that happens. Not much, I bet.
- I asked Cole Aldrich before the game how long he might be on the shelf. He couldn’t provide a firm timetable, and he didn’t sound too optimistic that he’d be back anytime soon, either. When an athlete tells you running is difficult, that’s not good.
- If you didn’t see the fan who hit the halfcourt shot midway through the second quarter, here it is. And here’s what the man had to say afterward. It was the first time the $20,000 shot has been hit since the Thunder’s been here.
- I’m I the only one who thought Cavs guard Manny Harris looked a lot like Royal Ivey?
- One other thing that wasn’t so good in this one was Durant’s zero assists and five turnovers. After dishing out six assists in each of the past two games, it looked like Durant’s playmaking was starting to pick up. Maybe not.
- It’s great to see how Jeff Green no longer hesitates on 3-pointers.
- Eric Maynor needed to face the Cavs in the worst way. He broke out of a mini-slump tonight with nine points, three assists, two rebounds and one steal without turning it over.
- Quietly, the Thunder’s young players are really developing nicely. D.J. White is showing more and more that he’s just solid and now he’s stringing together some sort of consistency. Byron Mullens, whenever he gets an opportunity, always seems to do a few things right. Some pretty nice luxuries are often lost in the mix at the end of the Thunder’s bench.
- The Thunder’s entered the night with eight of its final 10 games in 2010 coming at home. Said Thabo Sefolosha: “We got a real good opportunity to close the month out and finish on a good note.”
-DM-
If you enjoyed this post, please consider to leave a comment or subscribe to the feed and get future articles delivered to your feed reader.
Comments
Love that insight from the Cavs’ game from a couple years ago. That makes this win that much sweeter. Hilarious link to the Thunder bandwagon, Darnell. Well played.
Hector, thanks for the kind words about our team. Feel free to jump on board anytime! 
I’d sure like to see Varejao on the Thunder bandwagon, appears to me, that he would fit the bill nicely for what the Thunder need.
Any chance of getting him out of Cleveland ?
The Thunder finally played an entire game looking like the team we saw last season. What’s amazing is that Harden dropped off 19, and with the exception of the dunk, it’s an afterthought. KD’s shooting efficiency over the past several games is back up to last year’s averages, so I’m hoping we can soon officially say he’s come out of his annual early season “slump.”
DM – let me add to the chorus of those who love these nuggets you’re posting. I look forward to these more than I do the game recaps.
@Lynn1
You’re not alone on the Varejao bandwagon. Unfortunately, I don’t know that Dan Gilbert is willing to put out the fire sale sign anytime soon, let alone put his best player on the trading block. Were I Presti, I’d at least see if the Cavs would be interested in a Green, Mullens or Aldrich and our first rounders next year. Varejao’s pretty cheap, only making $7 million this season, but I don’t know if they could slide Antwan Jamison to power forward so that Jeff could play his natural position at small forward.
Wow, thanks for that story from the game two years ago in Cleveland. No more feeling bad for the Cavs organization and their fans.
Stop trying to trade away Green!! this isn’t a free agent/trade team, this is a team that builds from the draft and keeps it’s own players. Let Presti do what he does best. You should trust him by now.
They’re modeled after the spurs and look how that turned out. they’re also VERY similar to the indianapolis colts and that hasn’t been bad either.
@Leah
The problem is that Jeff isn’t built to be a power forward. He doesn’t rebound well, and look how many power forwards just destroy him. I’d love to have him as the sixth man coming off the bench, but someone is going to pay him more to be their small forward. He’s a pretty good perimeter defender, but not in the low post. Just look around the West he just doesn’t stack up at the 4.
[...] post-game nuggets. He notes the strong energy the team had, and how Westbrook played the perfect [...]
[...] I love this note from Darnell Mayberry: “Here’s a story of karma. Two seasons ago, when the Thunder played at Cleveland around Thanksgiving, the Cavs absolutely destroyed the Thunder. The game was never close. The Thunder trailed by as many as 42 and lost by 35. During a timeout, the Cavs’ in-game entertainment arranged for four or five fans to come onto the court and say what they were thankful for. In what had to be staged, a young boy, probably no older than 9 or 10, took his turn and said, “I’m thankful I don’t have to watch the Oklahoma City Thunder every night.” The crowd erupted and even the Cavs’ bench was in stitches. I’ll never forget the arrogance the Cavs franchise had then. Even Cavs media members had a jolly old time cracking on the Thunder. Don’t worry, Cleveland, we’ve got just the thing for Cavs fans.” [...]
Interesting tidbit on the game in Cleveland. Oh well what is past is past. Cleveland does have its own problems now, but Thunder did so much more than dismantle a sub 500 Cleveland team.
All season long close games against struggling teams has only been a source of motivation for other struggling teams.Thunder took a step in the right direction in establishing themselves as one of the top teams in the league.
How you play against other teams fuels the motivation of future opponents. To be brief:Close games beget more close games, and blowout wins beget more blowout wins. I’m in favor the latter.
@MM
I agree with Leah, though, I concur with your logic that Jeff would be best used as 6th man. Jeff is a very potent offensive threat and Thunder would greatly benefit having the offensive punch of Jeff at the 3 while Kevin was getting a blow. Jeff’s versatility would also allow him to get minutes at the 2 and 4.
However I disagree that it is forgone conclusion that he is gone. Lakers have managed to keep Bynum. I think Jeff might stay with Bynum like money and I think he has Bynum like game changing potential, so he is probably worth it.
@Matthew
Bynum-like money? There is no way under God’s green earth that Jeff Green is worth $14.5 million per year.
If I wasn’t a born and bred Lakers’ fan I’d be a Thunder fan in a heartbeat. Love this young team. Big Westbrook fan because he’s from L.A. If they get a banger power forward, let alone a good rebounding and defensive center, they’re set.