Thunder vs. Nuggets post-game wrap
John Rohde’s observations from Denver’s 112-107 victory over the Thunder on Wednesday night:
* Though he scored 35 points, Denver forward Carmelo Anthony was still greeted with a mix of cheers and boos during post-game interview on the court afterward inside the Pepsi Center. Anthony smiled through it all and didn’t slap a single high-five while exiting through a tunnel.
Anthony clearly wants out of Denver and the feeling appears to be mutual. The trade rumors have worn everybody slick.
* As if the Thunder didn’t already feel bad enough losing, Anthony entered the game averaging 16.2 points and shooting 41.1 percent in the previous five games.
* Speaking of high-fives, some overexcited Denver fans stuck out their hands for a high-five from the referees at halftime. A good ploy to try and get the refs on your side, I suppose, but who would want to high-five a ref?
* A snowstorm hit the area in mid-afternoon and only 6,000 fans were able to make it for the opening tip, but that number had grown to roughly 14,000 midway through the second quarter.
* Kevin Durant’s last field goal came with 9:17 left in the third quarter and gave OKC a 65-59 lead. He missed his last eight attempts and finished 6 for 18.
* Russell Westbrook had a flawless third quarter with 14 points (4 for 4 from the field; 6 for 6 from the line; zero turnovers). He had eight assists in the first half and second in the second half, thanks to his teammates shooting a combined 9 for 27 (.333) from the field after intermission.
* Durant and Jeff Green have yet to win in Denver since turning pro four years ago. They are 0-2 with Seattle and 0-4 with the Thunder.
* After shooting just 2 for 22 (.091) from 3-point range Monday against the Lakers in Los Angeles, the Thunder opened 0 for 6 against the Nuggets beyond the arc and finished 3 for 15 (.200). “We usually don’t take that many 3-pointers,” OKC coach Scott Brooks said after the 101-94 loss against the Lakers, “and I know we usually don’t miss that many shots.”
All this comes after shooting 50 percent (7 for 14) against Orlando last Thursday.
* James Harden has made just four of his last 22 (.182) 3-point attempts and Durant has made one of his last 11 (.091).
* The Thunder got a nice lift off the bench from Serge Ibaka (16 points, 7 for 10 from the field and nine rebounds), Nick Collison (six points and nine rebounds) and Eric Maynor (seven points and four assists). “I thought Serge was terrific and Nick was Nick,” Brooks said.
* The NBA’s best free-throw shooting team at 83.1 percent, the Thunder missed its first three free throws, hit its next 17, and finished 24 for 29 (.828). Harden went 0 for 2 and Maynor 0 for 1.
* After going just 4 for 7 from the free-throw line in the second half against the Lakers, the Thunder again went 4 for 7 in the first half against Denver. The Thunder trailed 41-38 before converting its first free throw against the Nuggets with 5:42 left in the second quarter. OKC still managed to attempt 29 free throws. The Thunder averages 30.4 free throws per game, which is second in the league to Denver (31.0).
* On Christmas Day in OKC, Nuggets reserve guard Ty Lawson erupted for 19 points and five assists. On Wednesday, he had 11 points and three assists in 18 minutes. He blows by OKC defenders whenever he pleases.
* When a television reporter asked Nuggets coach George Karl about his team allegedly not playing well in Monday night’s 110-97 loss at San Antonio, Karl matter-of-factly responded: “Do you realize how good they are? I don’t give out compliments to opponents very often, but they were damn good.”
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[...] John Rohde with post-game notes: “Russell Westbrook had a flawless third quarter with 14 points (4 for 4 from the field; 6 for 6 from the line; zero turnovers). He had eight assists in the first half and second in the second half, thanks to his teammates shooting a combined 9 for 27 (.333) from the field after intermission.” [...]
KD for defensive player of the year. Maybe nba can shame him into playing some defense.