Thunder Come Up A Little Short Against The Sacramento Kings In OKC (119-116)

Thunder Come Up A Little Short Against The Sacramento Kings In OKC (119-116)

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by | Feb 24, 2019 | Featured, NBA

The Oklahoma City Thunder came into this game against the Sacramento Kings looking to win the back to back. The only issue is the Thunder were in double overtime with an 8:30 tipoff and played pretty much 17 hours previously. The Kings had a day of rest and were prepared for the Thunder. It was obvious that the Sacramento Kings wanted to wear the Thunder out tonight as they were running the floor like a track meet. The Kings were up for a good portion of the game and tried to take advantage of the tired legs of the Thunder and it was proving to work. Buddy Hield and De’Aaron Fox combined for 53 points on the night. Both Fox and Hield made some tough shots on the night and were able to use their quickness to create more offense against the Thunder. Buddy Hield was making some tough shots with Ferguson and George draped all over him. The improvement in Buddy’s game has been impressive because he was known for being a knockdown shooter but has shown that he can get to the basket. It truly looks like Buddy has found a home in Sacramento and they have a young core and a great coach that believes in his ability to score. Buddy finished with 38 points on the night and was able to attack and hit his jumper in some clutch moments down the stretch. The Kings momentum was going with Fox and he was able to show that he’s a true floor general and leader at a young age. Some of the passes that Fox made to split the double teams and his awareness needs to be respected.

It was noticeable that OKC was gassed and the Kings tried to make them pay for it in the transition game. The bright spot for the Thunder was their leader Russell Westbrook because he has the best motor in the NBA. Westbrook may have finished with 41 points and 10 rebounds on the night but you would have never noticed he played pretty much identical the night before. Russell Westbrook’s a special talent and breed that the NBA won’t see ever again when he’s ready to hang up his sneakers. Westbrook was able to keep the Thunder in the mix tonight as he was being aggressive to the basket and also had the 3 point shot working. Westbrook was making some clutch shots and was driving to the basket all night on Fox with ease. The Thunder were down by 1 point late and Westbrook received an offensive foul that gave the Kings back the ball late.

Paul George was trying to get his game going on the night but wasn’t able to hit much. George finished with 14 points on the night and went 4/19 from the field. George to his credit played 50 minutes the night before and he even admitted he was a little tired. The way that Paul George has been able to carry the Thunder all season he was due for a bad game in the mix. The most impressive thing is that with the Thunder down by 3 points with time running out they still showed the confidence in Paul even though he missed. The Thunder have the best duo in the NBA and they have been able to prove that on an everyday basis. When the Thunder stars play as they have lately anything is possible. The Thunder bench chipped in with 32 points on the night as well and it was a great sight for Dennis Schröder tonight hitting some tough shots to finish with 14 points on the night.

The Thunder play the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday in Denver and that should be a great one as the 2nd/3rd place teams will battle it out.

 

Photo Credit – Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman

Feb 24, 2019 No Comments
OKC Thunder Powered By George & Westbrook Take Out Utah Jazz In Double OT (148-147)

OKC Thunder Powered By George & Westbrook Take Out Utah Jazz In Double OT (148-147)

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by | Feb 23, 2019 | Featured, NBA

This was the first game of the second half of the season and the Thunder were ready for the challenge. The Jazz came into town to face the red hot Thunder and their MVP caliber players in Westbrook & George. Both teams have some hatred towards each other especially after the playoffs and OKC wanted to show this was a new year and a different team. The Thunder and Jazz were both going back in forth in this game but it was the big names that showed up tonight. The one bright spot for the Jazz tonight was Donovan Mitchell he went off for 38 points against the Thunder. Mitchell was a tough guard for anyone that OKC put on him and he was making some amazing shots on the night. Mitchell reminds everyone of a young D-Wade the way that he can create his own shot and get to the paint with ease. The Thunder controlled the rest of Mitchell’s team in the game and forced someone else to beat them if it was going to happen.

Utah didn’t get the job done overall even with six players in double figures they fell to OKC. No one on the Jazz was able to contain Russell Westbrook or Paul George as they both combined for 88 points out of the 148 from the Thunder on the night. Paul George started off slow but was able to get into his groove in a hurry in that second half. George finished with 45 points on the night and hit the game winner over Rudy Gobert that amazed everyone in attendance and watching around the world. The NBA is witnessing something special with this run that Paul George has been on and people are starting to jump on the MVPG train. One of the people that support that train is his running mate Russell Westbrook who posted up 43 points, 15 rebounds, and 8 assists to end his triple-double streak. We witness history all the time with Westbrook and he’s been even more historic with his leadership that he’s put on display. Russell Westbrook fouled out this game in OT but was able to have his fingerprints all over the game and that led to his teammates wanting to play for him even more. Both George and Westbrook have shown that defense can turn into the offense and they can actually make each other better. This is what was to be expected and with the leadership from both of them, it’s rubbed off on players like Schröder and Nader who had some big plays down the stretch.

The Thunder will be facing off against the Kings tomorrow and will look to keep this same energy and progression going to continue to climb that Western Conference ladder.

 

 

Photo Credit: Alonzo Adams, USA TODAY Sports via Reuters

Feb 23, 2019 No Comments
The Thunderous Duo Of Westbrook & George Too Dominant For Portland As Thunder Win (120-111)

The Thunderous Duo Of Westbrook & George Too Dominant For Portland As Thunder Win (120-111)

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by | Feb 12, 2019 | Featured, NBA

The Thunder were coming off of their huge win in Houston. OKC faced the Portland Trailblazers who were on the second night of a back to back. The Thunder took full advantage of that situation as they were able to collectively take Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum out the game on the offensive end for the most part of the game. Oklahoma City was playing without Jerami Grant and Dennis Schröder who were both sidelined against Portland. The way that Paul George has been playing as of late was going to make it tough for any team in front of him. Paul started his night off with a thunderous dunk that set the tone from the opening quarter. Paul George was slicing and dicing the whole Portland team and there was nothing anyone could do about it. The Trail Blazers put multiple defenders on Paul George but he still was able to crossover and get to the basket or get his shot off when he wanted. Paul George has been on an MVP pace and was able to put up 47 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists. This was George’s 3rd triple-double in his career and it was special sharing it with Russell Westbrook.

 

 

Tonight Westbrook was able to make history again like he’s done time and time again in the past couple of seasons. Westbrook came into tonight’s game tied with Wilt Chamberlain for most consecutive triple-doubles with nine. Russell Westbrook has been the ultimate teammate and he’s been able to use his overall game to will his team to the victory with George. Russell Westbrook’s the most dominant point guard in the NBA and showed just why tonight in his matchup with Damian Lillard. Westbrook’s ability to get into the paint with ease and he’s been able to get his teammates involved without forcing the situation. The growth in Westbrooks game always gets looked over because of his shooting struggles but no one in the national media talks about his improvements in other areas. Westbrook has been able to get his teammates into the flow of the game and he’s been locking down his position on a nightly basis. Westbrook’s second in steals and has taken the defensive side just as serious as Paul George. No offenses in the NBA want to see both of them because they know how to get into the passing lanes and use the defense to create their offense. Westbrook has matured his game and knows his bread and butter is that paint and that backboard shot with the one leg. Westbrook broke the tie with Wilt Chamberlain tonight as he finished with 21 points, 11 assists, and 14 rebounds.

 

 

The Thunder were able to slow down Lillard and McCollum tonight as they combined for 44 points. Lillard started getting it going later in that second half but with the momentum and the way Russell Westbrook and Paul George were playing they couldn’t stop the leak. The Thunder bench stepped up big time for them as well as Felton and Burton combined for 33 points on the night. The both of them made some big plays and stepped up big time to fill the void that was presented by injuries. The Thunder will be playing the Pelicans next before All-Star break and will look to remain one of the hottest teams in the NBA.

Feb 12, 2019 No Comments
Westbrook’s 8th Straight Triple Double Helped OKC Defeat The Short Handed Memphis Grizzlies (117-95)

Westbrook’s 8th Straight Triple Double Helped OKC Defeat The Short Handed Memphis Grizzlies (117-95)

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by | Feb 8, 2019 | Featured

The Thunder have been one of the hottest teams in the NBA and have won the last 9 out of 10 games. This team has been gelling so much that they didn’t need to make a trade during the deadline. The Oklahoma City fans wanted the Thunder to make a push for another player but the chemistry of this team says otherwise. The Thunder went on to face the Memphis Grizzlies who ended up trading majority of the team but still kept their cornerstone in Mike Conley who’s been nothing but outstanding for Memphis. Conley said this about his teammates being traded “It’s been a long day. I’m normally worried about the game, watching film, things like that, but I’m sitting downstairs in the lobby until 1:30 or 2:00, waiting for the trade deadline to pass and trying to figure out if I’m going to be here or not.” Even with all that going on the Grizzlies still had to play against the red hot Thunder who have been on a hot streak as of late blowing through opponents.

Paul George was able to get things started in this game as he was able to get to the rim whenever he wanted too. One thing about George’s game is that he’s always calm, cool, and collected. George can start off a game out of rhythm and find himself in a rhythm real quick. Paul has been nothing but sensational for the Thunder and he’s been able to put the team on his back with his great shooting. The Grizzlies were short handed tonight after the trades but it wouldn’t matter who you had in front of PG-13 tonight. When Paul has the inside and outside game going it’s usually a long night for defenses playing against him. Paul George finished the game with 27 points and has shown that he can get the job done on both sides of the floor consistently. Paul George has been able to flourish on both ends of the floor and has been in MVP talks throughout the whole NBA. The good things about this team are the fact that everyone is playing together and having fun at the same time. Paul George and Russell Westbrook have this team moving in the right direction as the leaders. Russell Westbrook’s playing within the game and letting the offense come to him with ease.

This season Westbrook has shown that he’s an amazing leader and that he can help his team in every way. Russel’s motto is “Why Not” and he’s lived by that every night he hits the court. Westbrook has been able to do everything that people think he can’t do and the way he’s playing the Championship shouldn’t be far. Tonight against the Grizzlies Westbrook notched his 8th triple-double in a row and he’s one shy of passing Wilt Chamberlain for that streak. Russell Westbrook had some video game numbers against the Memphis Grizzlies tonight finishing with 15 points, 15 assists, and 13 rebounds. Westbrook also had a nasty pass to Terrence Ferguson for an impossible Alley Oop that was finished.

Terrence Ferguson has been able to continue to play at a great pace and his 3 pointer has been going down at a very confident level this season. T-Ferg was able to put on a dunk show tonight for the OKC fans and has put people on notice that doubted him that he’s still growing. The way that Ferguson has played this season has been impressive and he’s been able to grow into a great wing player and the Thunder have shown confidence in him while letting him play within the offense. The addition of Dennis Schröder this offseason has helped the Thunder in a big way as he’s taken over that second unit and has played with a lot of confidence. The Grizzlies had no chance to stop Dennis as he finished with 16 points and he even had a nice dunk. Schröder has given the Thunder that jolt of energy they needed on that second unit he’s proven that he belongs in the 6th man of the year award race.

 

The Thunder have the Houston Rockets on Saturday as both MVP candidates (George/Harden) will face off again.

Feb 8, 2019 No Comments