Game 34: Thunder v. Hawks
Carrying on a team tradition (Sonics and Thunder) the team played a home game on New Year’s Eve. And the result was great for the Thunder: a win.
The Thunder used a big first quarter to open up a lead, using good shooting and transition to take a 9-point lead. In the second quarter, the Hawks scored consistently, but for the most part didn’t do much to stop the Thunder. The Thunder took a 7-point lead into halftime.
The third quarter, the Hawks again outscored the Thunder, but the Thunder held tight on both ends of the court and held onto a four-point lead heading into the fourth. In a low scoring fourth quarter, the Thunder used good defense, forcing the Hawks to take bad shots. The Thunder utilized a big run after letting the Hawks get within two points to seal the game.
Kevin Durant finished with 33 points, Russell Westbrook secured a triple-double at the end of the game with an assist to Serge Ibaka with a few seconds left, and finished with 23 points, 10 boards, and 10 assists. James Harden provided 15 points off the bench.
Uncharacteristically good night from 3-point land for the Thunder. The Thunder start the new year right where they wanted to be: in 1st place in the Northwest Division. Lotta season left, gotta keep playing smart and hard. Tough game at San Antonio on Monday. Wishing everyone a prosperous and happy 2011. Thunder Up!!!
Game 33: Thunder v. Nets
The Thunder hosted the Nets in the third game of a four-game home stretch.
The first quarter, both teams exchanged points pretty regularly, with the Thunder holding a slight lead. Both teams were tied after 1. In the second quarter, the Thunder opened it up on both ends, with the Thunder utilizing scoring runs and keeping the Nets from scoring. The Thunder took an 11-point lead into halftime.
Third quarter was more of the same, with the Thunder getting buckets in transition, as well as some nice alley-oops. Good defense forced bad shots by the Nets, as well as getting steals. In the fourth quarter, the starters rested for most of the period with the big lead, while some of the backups got playing time. All 12 Thunder players scored, and the team earned a solid 21-point victory.
Kevin Durant led the way with 27 points, Russell Westbrook added 17, and Nick Collison added 10 off the bench. New Year’s Eve game Friday vs. the Hawks. Thunder Up!!!
Game 32: Thunder v. Mavs
The Thunder had a formidable challenge Monday night as they hosted the Mavs. Even with Dirk Nowitzki leaving the game in the second quarter due to injury, the Mavs showed why they are one of the best teams in the league.
The first quarter, the Mavs came out strong, scoring early and often, and the Thunder could not contain the Mavs big men. The Thunder gathered themselves, and were down five at the end of 1. In the second quarter, the Thunder struggled while the Mavs were on fire. The Thunder finished the quarter strong, and went into halftime tied.
The third quarter, both teams played well on both ends, but the Thunder could not quite shake the Mavs. The Thunder took a two point lead into the fourth quarter. In the fourth, Jason Terry took over for the Mavs, hitting 5 big shots in the quarter. The Thunder were down by 10 late in the game, and could not come much closer than that.
Kevin Durant had 28, Russell Westbrook had 15, and James Harden scored 18 off the bench. Day off tomorrow, then host the Nets on Wednesday. Thunder Up!!!
Game 31: Thunder v. Nuggets
The Thunder faced a tough Nuggets team, minus Carmelo Anthony on Christmas Day.
The team’s wish came true: another victory.
In the first half, the Thunder traded baskets with Denver, then started to get sloppy on defense, while the Nuggets were still scoring. The Nuggets extended the lead to 10 points in the second quarter, but the Thunder came back, largely in part to James Harden hitting some big shots off the bench. The Thunder used a small run and good defense to close the deficit to 2 at halftime.
In the third quarter, both teams were scoring, and the defense by the Thunder was a little better, but not much. Serge Ibaka was in foul trouble early and often, so the Thunder had to play even tougher on the defensive end. It did help the Thunder that Kevin Durant scored 21 points in the third quarter, and the Thunder took a 5 point lead. In the fourth quarter, the Thunder stretched the lead to 10 points, but the Nuggets closed it to within 5. After getting up by double digits again late, the Thunder closed out the game and earned a hard-fought victory.
Durant finished with a season-high 44 points (3 short 0f his career best of 47), Harden added 21 points off the bench, and Russell Westbrook added 19 points. As Brian Davis said a couple of games ago, teams that win 20 games before Christmas tend to win 50 for the season. At 21 wins on Christmas, that probably is looking good, but the team needs to focus one game at a time.
This is the first home game in a four-game stretch. Tough game on Monday at home vs. the Mavs. Thunder Up!!!
Game 30: Thunder @ Knicks
Tonight’s matchup against the Knicks was a big game, trying to win a second game in as many nights.
Unfortunately, the Thunder did not look great for most of the game.
Possibly tired from jetlag and/or playing a home game the night before, the Thunder looked off all night as the Knicks beat the Thunder soundly. The first quarter was competitive, with both teams shooting well and the Thunder holding a one point lead. The second quarter provided problems, as the Knicks went on a 12-0 run in the middle of the quarter, and the Thunder were not knocking down shots, causing an 8-point Thunder deficit at halftime.
The third quarter is when the wheels fell off. Bad shooting and the Knicks beating the Thunder in transition allowed the lead to swell to close to 20 points for most of the third quarter. In the fourth quarter, Coach Brooks decided to rest his starters for the majority of the period, and the Thunder were defeated by 12 points.
Kevin Durant had 26, Russell Westbrook had 23, and Jeff Green added 14. Two days off before hosting the Nuggets on Christmas Day. Thunder Up!!!
