The Thunder are coming off a win against the Hornets last night. This is one of the first back to back games at home for the Thunder in recent memory. OKC has been extremely hot and came into this game 12-6 tied for first place in the Western Conference. Tonight the Thunder started Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot at shooting guard. Billy Donovan wanted to get a different look in the lineup and see what’s working and what’s not working. The biggest difference in this game against the Nuggets tonight was the fact that Schroder, Westbrook, and George didn’t start together tonight. During the start of the game, OKC wasn’t able to get anything to fall for them. The Thunder ball movement has been amazing as of late but when they were given the open looks tonight they didn’t drop. While the Thunder weren’t able to get anything to drop the Nuggets, on the other hand, were able to get anything they wanted. The Nuggets took advantage of every hustle play and made the Thunder pay. Jamal Murray was a constant nightmare for OKC because he was hustling for loose balls and making tough shots while finding his teammates. Murray finished the game with 22 points and was able to put the Nuggets on his back throughout the game. Denver is a well-balanced team and they showed that high energy with defense can keep you in a game. The Thunder had five players in double figures tonight and it seemed that every run OKC tried to get going the Nuggets had an answer. Denver had a 25 point lead and was in the driver seat majority of the night on both ends of the floor.
At the half, it was 63-42 and the Thunder came out that 3rd quarter with energy and swag that they usually do. Russell Westbrook was trying to will his team back into the game all night showing true leadership through his play. Westbrook finished with 16 points, 12 assists, and 10 rebounds on the night for his second triple-double of the season. Every time OKC got close to getting back into the game the Nuggets hit a tough shot. The NBA is a miss or make league and tonight the Thunder were struggling. This defense for the Thunder will continue to get better and they will continue to grow. A lot of people forget they’re playing without Roberson, Diallo, and Ferguson right now. The defense has been swarming including tonight and it just came down to the Nuggets hitting some tough shots. Paul George had his game going but showed some signs of frustration with some of the calls against him. Paul George is one of the best two-way players in the league and he will continue to find a way to score no matter what. PG-13 finished with 24 points to lead the Thunder but he wants to lead with his defense as well. Westbrook and George both have played amazing on this stretch of games. Tonight’s loss came down to other players making plays for the Nuggets that weren’t apart of the gameplan as much. Trey Lyles had 16 points and had a couple of 3 point plays that helped his night out. OKC has to continue to defend at a high level and trust one another like they have to continue this success with Cleveland coming to town.
After the game, Russell Westbrook was practicing on the court working on his jumper. People give Westbrook a hard time with his shooting right now but no one said anything when he carried this team his MVP season. The same shots that got him the MVP that season are the same shots that he’s taking now. Westbrook just has to see the ball go in the hoop and he will be fine. Westbrook shot 1-15 from the 3pt field tonight and will redeem himself on Wednesday like the true professional he is. Westbrook plays great without the ball and showed that he can still dominate with or without the ball in his hands with his IQ. Russell Westbrook is a true professional and will bounce back like he always does on the daily.
Photo Credit: Alonzo Adams
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