The national storyline will be Russell Westbrook garnered his eighth triple double of the season and forty-fifth of his NBA career. Adding to that storyline is Westbrook is now averaging a triple double for the season…31-11-10.
But that’s not what sticks about this game tonight for me. More to the point it was the Thunder’s overall willingness to play with a chip on their shoulder and do the little things as a team. Get dirty as a team. Play with toughness, some snarl, and a little nasty. I liked what I saw tonight.
For the third game in a row, Anthony Morrow was a very positive factor for the Thunder. Amo scored 14 points, went 5-7 from the field, and was 3-5 from beyond the arc. OKC needed his steadying influence early and he provided baskets when his team needed scoring. For the night, OKC’s bench chipped in 48 points. Circle that in red.
Enes Kanter had what I thought was his best game of the season. In 28 minutes, Kanter scored 27 points and gobbled 10 rebounds. For the second straight game his pick and roll game was there all night with Westbrook. He played physical as well, which rubbed off on other OKC players. When he does that I’m not sure I want to trade him. Please circle in red.
Another good game from Steven Adams as well with 14 points and 10 rebounds. It’s pretty simple, when someone like Morrow is hitting threes and spacing the floor—Kanter and Adams become very dangerous weapons for the Thunder offense.
But I think I’ll go with Andre Roberson as my No. 1 Star of the Game for multiple reasons. I absolutely loved his third period when he pick and rolled with Lauvergne, hit a three, and pretty much blanketed Carmelo Anthony. Carmelo was 4-18 from the field as Roberson altered his shots all night long. Plus, Roberson hit a clutch three in the final five minutes which kind of gave me the feeling this was the Thunder’s night. Great overall game by Andre Roberson. Circle in red, thank you.
Oladipo had an off night. Lauvergne was decent, while Jermai Grant needs to play better. OKC needs more from Sabonis as well.
The national media will be amuck with Westbrook storylines, but if you watch the Thunder every game this was a road win accentuated by some excellent performances by role players with Roberson, Kanter, and Morrow leading the way. And in that exact order those three are my Three Stars of the Game.
Scotty Brooks and the Washington Wizards in Oklahoma City on Wednesday night.