The Oklahoma City Thunder were back home after their road trip and ran into a Wizards team determined to get a win for their coach. Scott Brooks has yet to win a game in Oklahoma City since becoming the Washington Wizards Head Coach. Tonight was the night that Brooks would get his first victory in the place he once called “Home”. The Wizards came out shooting lights out in this game and jumped on the Thunder from the very start. One very bright spot for the Washington Wizards was the play of Bradley Beal. The way he’s been playing as of late has been impressive. Bradley Beal’s averaging 24 points on the season and was able to put that on display tonight. Beal was able to score off screens and picks all night long with ease. One thing that was noticeable tonight was the fact that Beal can make some tough shots. Beal hit a couple of shots over Steven Adams and Jerami Grant tonight that looked impossible. Bradley Beal finished with 25 points on the night but got a lot of help from his teammates throughout the game. The Wizards had 5 players in double figures tonight and Otto Porter Jr. was the player that stepped up to help out Bradley Beal on the night. Otto was able to make the Thunder pay from the 3 point line and he was attacking the paint when defenders thought he would stay at the 3 point line. Another player that was making the best of his opportunities was Jeff Green. It seemed like when the Wizards needed a momentum shift Jeff Green was there for the answer as he poured in 16 points. Jeff Green was able to space the floor out for the Wizards and create problems for the Thunder on that perimeter. The Thunder got outrebounded which rarely happens and they dropped the ball tonight against the Wizards. The rebound margin was 55-41 as that margin helped the Wizards on second-chance points and controlling the clock late.
The Thunder dropped this one to the Wizards and they were getting beat on hustle plays and rebounding all night. OKC shot 43% from the field for the game it was the turnovers and getting outrebounded that got them tonight against the Wizards. Paul George didn’t have his best game but he seemed to be banged up in that second quarter which altered his game a little. PG-13 finished with 20 points on the night but had some great looks they just didn’t fall. This is the first time in over a month that Paul George was off like tonight and it was rare to see. George will try to bounce back on Tuesday against the Timberwolves and get his shooting rhythm back on track. One thing that is for sure about Paul George is the fact he will give you his all and will shoot until they fall.
Russell Westbrook had his game going tonight and was able to grab another triple-double tonight finishing with 22 points, 13 assists, and 15 rebounds. Westbrook can beat opposing point guard on a nightly basis but when the game is out of reach like tonight it’s tough. The former MVP was getting his teammates involved and was able to make things happen while he was in the game. The Thunder second unit came in and lost some momentum late in the game which the Wizards jumped on when Westbrook/George took a rest. The Thunder had something going when they were getting the ball to Steven Adams in the post but managed to get away from that after the first half. If the Thunder kept pounding the paint things could of went differently.
Overall the Thunder will bounce back and have the chance to on Tuesday against the Timberwolves who just fired their head coach tonight.
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