Brooklyn Nets 116 — OKC Thunder 106
Just when it appeared OKC’s Thunder might deserve to be mentioned in the same breath as San Antonio and Golden State the Thunder showed any discussions themed of that nature are premature and maybe even delusional. Brooklyn came in a floundering 11-33 team, yet handled OKC with relative ease in coasting to a 116-106 win at home.
For the second game in a row, OKC played without starting center Steven Adams. But unlike Friday night against a perimeter oriented Dallas club, the Nets have a center in Brook Lopez who made OKC pay for the absence of Adams. Lopez scored 31 points, had 10 rebounds, and is easily my No. 1 Star of the Game.
Thaddeus Young was a strong second candidate with a 14, 14 double, double. In all, six Nets scored in double figures as the Nets scored a season high 116 points against a Thunder which basically didn’t look ready to play.
To me—this clearly ranks as the Thunder’s worst performance of the season.
This wasn’t a fluke because OKC lost three of the four quarters and tied the third period. It’s not like a run or some bad calls doomed them. OKC DID NOT WIN one period in this game against a team which came in at 11-33 and appeared to be ready to tank.
OKC drops to 33-13 and like I wrote above—this team appears to be more like the Little Boy Who Cried Wolf than a serious title contender on this late January night.
Championship level teams can’t just wilt because Steven Adams was a DNP-elbow. Championship level teams suck it up and find a way to not lose to an opponent like this Net team.
The simple truth is OKC was soft all over the floor defensively giving up 58 points in the paint and allowing the Nets to go 8-17 from beyond the arc.
So gone is OKC’s win streak and the feel the Thunder were getting ready to show they belong in the championship conversation.
Russell Westbrook on Stephen Colbert tomorrow night. Then the Thunder at Madison Square Garden versus the Knicks on Tuesday night. Hopefully, better performances on both counts.
Mike Jackson