Oklahoma City Thunder 124 — Denver Nuggets 102
I have to admit up front I only half watched this completely meaningless basketball game. More of my attention was steered to the election results in Wisconsin where Lyin’ Ted Cruz was used by the Republican establishment to keep Donald Trump under the 1,237 delegates he needs to avoid a brokered convention this July in Cleveland. Wisconsin voters with clearness of mind did the math and possibly did the country a favor assuming Lyin’ Ted Cruz will be cast aside in July as well.
So, to this meaningless game. OKC from what I saw looked decent, but when you’re playing bad teams who struggle defensively the Thunder do usually look better. Durant and Westbrook were good. Westbrook garnered his 17th triple double of the season tying him with Magic Johnson.
Ibaka had a nice 7-11 shooting game. Kanter scored 18, as did Dion Waiters.
Again I read nothing into this game except OKC looked fresh. They looked like they were having some fun and didn’t look like a team worn out mentally. Which brings me to mention Golden State. The Warriors lost at home for the second time in less than a week. This time it was to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Bogut played, as did Iguodala. All their starters played. As we navigate thru this last handful of games, maybe we need to be paying more attention to the Warriors. Have they worn themselves out in pursuing the Bulls’ record?
OKC improves to 54-24 with only four more of these practice games left on the slate. The Thunder play in Portland tonight on the second night of a road back to back. I’d assume some guys will be sitting as they did in Detroit.
Watching the Warriors’ last four games might give us a better feel of the Thunder’s chances than watching the Thunder play their last four games.
Mike Jackson